Abstract
The electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)buten-2-one at a nickel cathode in aqueous ethanol containing sulphuric acid has been examined. HPLC was used for the analysis of reaction mixtures. The product composition is critically dependent on the method used for electrodeposition of the nickel-black surface. An electrochemically deposited nickel-black will catalyse the electrochemical hydrogenation of this substrate. Formation of 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one is favoured at high concentrations of substrate and a minor amount of the corresponding secondary alcohol is also formed. The process was applied also to hydrogenation of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)buten-2-one and 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)buten-2-one with 63–68% current efficiency. An alternative process, the reduction of these enones at a lead cathode in presence of sodium hydrogen carbonate, gave an unsatisfactory mixture of products.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
