Photocatalytic Approaches for Sustainable Olefin Transfer Hydrogenation and Semihydrogenation of Alkynes Using Natural Sunlight

Abstract

A sustainable, solar energy-driven method for olefin hydrogenation and semihydrogenation of alkynes is presented. The approach uses a Pd nanoparticle-decorated semiconductor heterojunction photocatalyst that drives hydrogenation using renewable ethanol and sunlight for energy. The catalyst hydrogenates both terminal and internal double bonds, including activated and unactivated species, and preferentially hydrogenates alkynes over alkenes. This system represents a platform for transitioning critical catalytic processes toward sustainable approaches.