Palladium supported on chitosan as a recyclable and selective catalyst for the synthesis of 2-phenyl ethanol

• Published in: Dalton transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 291 - 2917
• Main Authors: Dabbawala, Aasif A, Sudheesh, N, Bajaj, Hari C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 14.03.2012
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic - methods; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Dispersion; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Hydrogen - chemistry; Palladium; Palladium - chemistry; Phenylethyl Alcohol - chemical synthesis; Pressure; Recycling; Selectivity; Solvents - chemistry; Styrenes; Substrate Specificity; Temperature
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/c2dt11924b

Two different chitosan supported palladium based catalysts were prepared, wherein dispersed palladium nanoparticles were obtained via chemical reduction supported on chitosan (Pd/CTS) and amine functionalized modified chitosan (Pd/AFCTS). The catalytic activity of the Pd-based catalysts, Pd/CTS and Pd/AFCTS, were assessed in the hydrogenation of styrene oxide to 2-phenyl ethanol. Both Pd-based catalysts enhanced the formation of the desired 2-phenyl ethanol in contrast to a conventional Pd/C catalyst without the assistance of inorganic or organic base. A considerable influence on the conversion and selectivity was observed in the case of Pd/AFCTS, consisting of palladium nanoparticles stabilized and dispersed on amine-functionalized chitosan matrix, affording complete conversion of styrene oxide with 98% selectivity to 2-phenyl ethanol. The catalystPd/AFCTS has also been recycled without significant loss of activity and selectivity. Chitosan and aminofunctionalized chitosan supported palladium nanoparticles have been synthesized and were found to be an efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of styrene oxide to 2-phenyl ethanol.