The hydrogenation of mandelonitrile over a Pd/C catalyst: towards a mechanistic understanding?

RSC Advances Pub Date: 2019-08-21 DOI: 10.1039/C9RA04618F

Abstract

A carbon supported Pd catalyst is used in the liquid phase hydrogenation of the aromatic cyanohydrin mandelonitrile (C6H5CH(OH)CH2CN) to afford the primary amine phenethylamine (C6H5CH2CH2NH2). Employing a batch reactor, the desired primary amine is produced in 87% selectivity at reaction completion. Detection of the by-product 2-amino-1-phenylethanol (C6H5CH(OH)CH2NH2) accounts for the remaining 13% and closes the mass balance. The reaction mechanism is investigated, with a role for both hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes established.

Graphical abstract: The hydrogenation of mandelonitrile over a Pd/C catalyst: towards a mechanistic understanding
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