Transfer-Hydrogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones with Tetrahydroxydiboran in Water

Abstract

We have developed a transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones with B2(OH)4 as a reductant and amphiphilic resin-dispersed palladium nanoparticles as a catalyst system in an aqueous medium, where water also serves as a hydrogen donor. A variety of aldehydes and ketones, including aliphatic carbonyl compounds, reacted to give the corresponding primary and secondary alcohols, respectively. The catalyst was recovered by filtration and reused nine times without a significant loss of its catalytic activity.