Liquid-phase heterogeneous catalytic transfer hydrogenation of citral on basic catalysts

Abstract

The liquid-phase catalytic transfer hydrogenation of citral with 2-alkanols, 3-alkanols and cycloalkanols on basic catalysts obtained from Mg(OH) 2 and Ca(OH) 2 was studied. The catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, and by adsorption of nitrogen and chemisorption of carbon dioxide. Both catalysts provided excellent results in terms of catalytic activity and selectivity in the reduction of citral with all the alcohols tested.