Copper chromite benzylic alcohols

In contrast to phenolic hydroxyl, benzylic hydroxyl is replaced by hydrogen very easily. In catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes, ketones, acids and esters it is sometimes difficult to prevent the easy hydrogenolysis of the benzylic alcohols which result from the reduction of the above functions. A catalyst suitable for preventing hydrogenolysis of benzylic hydroxyl is platinized charcoal [28], Other catalysts, especially palladium on charcoal [619], palladium hydride [619], nickel [43], Raney nickel [619] and copper chromite [620], promote hydrogenolysis. In the case of chiral alcohols such as 2-phenyl-2-butanol hydrogenolysis took place with inversion over platinum and palladium, and with retention over Raney nickel (optical purities 59-66%) [619]. 

Nickel, Raney nickel and copper chromite are other catalysts suitable for hydrogenation of aldehydes to alcohols with little if any further hydrogenolysis. Benzaldehyde was hydrogenated to benzyl alcohol over nickel [43], Raney nickel [45] and copper chromite [50] in excellent yields. In the last-... 

Raney Ni and copper chromite are selective in forming benzylic alcohols from these compounds,... 

Finally, although the hydroxyl group of most alcohols can seldom be cleaved by hydrogenation, certain alcohols such as benzyl are susceptible and often readily undergo reduction (28). The most common catalysts are copper chromite and palladium-on-charcoal. Mixtures of A1C10 and LiAlH. have also been used for... 

Copper chromite (CuCr204) has historically been widely used as a hydrogenation catalyst. Generally because of its low catalytic activity its chemoselectivity is useful, although it does require high temperature and autoclave pressure conditions. It is effective for cleavage of benzylic alcohols, primary and secondary benzylic esters and ethers. Efficient cleavage of benzylamines has also been utilized (equation 29). Other copper salts and copper alloys have found infrequent use. 

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