FR2247445A1 - Reduction of alpha beta ethylenic ketones - by hydrogenation with a rhodium catalyst - Google Patents

Abstract

The liq. phase hydrogenation of an alpha,beta-ethylenic ketone to form the saturated ketone uses a heterogenous rhodium metal catalyst on a support. The process may be used a) to prepare inters. for prods. having biological or pharmacological activity, b) to 'label' ketones with deuterium or tritium c) to separate mixts. of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, since the aldehydes are not hydrogenated by this process d) to modify the perfume of natural unsaturated ketones. The process is easy to carry out, does not require the presence of catalysts which are difficult to obtain, gives good yields and, although the rhodium catalyst is expensive, its turn over is high and it can be recovered and re-used repeatedly.