Catalytic Hydrogenation of Sorbic Acid using Pyrazolyl Palladium(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes as Precatalysts

ABSTRACT We have prepared several pyrazolyl palladium and nickel complexes ([(L1)PdCl2](1), [(L2) PdCl2](2), [(L3) PdCl2](3), [(L1) NiBr2](4), [(L2) NiBr2](5) and [(L3) NiBr2](6)) by reacting 3,5-dimethyMH-pyrazole (L1), 3,5-di-ferf-butyl-1ZÏ-pyrazole (L2) and 5-ferrocenyl-1Zf-pyrazole(L3) with [PdCl2(NCMe)2] or [NiBr2(DME)] to afford mononuclear palladium and nickel complexes, respectively. These complexes were then investigated as pre-catalysts in the hydrogenation of 2,4-hexadienoic acid (sorbic acid). The active catalysts from these complexes demonstrate significant activities under mild experimental conditions. Additionally, the active catalysts show that the hydrogenation of sorbic acid proceeds in a sequential manner, where the less hindered C=C bond (4-hexenoic acid) is preferentially reduced over the more hindered C=C bond (2-hexenoic acid). Keywords: Pyrazolyl catalysts, sorbic acid, hydrogenation, selectivity.