Selective catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 8004.2;5 LSPP-LS

Short description (English)

Selective catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes

Short description (French)

Selective catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes

Abstract (French)

Selective catalytic hydrogenation is a key technology for the production of fine chemicals. About 14% of all reactions steps in the synthesis of vitamins and carotenoids carried out in the plants of DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. are catalytic hydrogenations. From the wide variety of functional group transformations that can be accomplished by selective catalytic hydrogenation, the transformation of alkynes to alkenes is of particular importance for DSM. Current selectivities for alkyne to alkene transformation are still not satisfactory. The proposed project deals with the selective hydrogenation of the alkyne 'methylbutynol', a key intermediate in the synthesis of Vitamin E. In view of the large scale production of this vitamin (several thousands of tons per year), further improvement of the synthesis, in particular by ways of new selective catalysts and reaction techniques, is of high importance for economic and ecologic reasons.