Patent ID: 7291753
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: B01J,C07B,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the reduction of compounds comprising a carbon-oxygen (C═O) double bond, to a corresponding hydrogenated alcohol comprising contacting a compound comprising the C═O double bond with a hydrogen donor and a catalyst comprising a metal complex having a tridentate aminodiphosphine ligand under transfer hydrogenation conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a metal complex with a tridentate aminodiphosphine ligand of the formula (II)  wherein M is a metal; Y simultaneously or independently are any anionic or neutral ligand; m is an integer representing the number of ligands Y that are required to fulfill the valency requirements of M; and the ligand (P  in which R x and y are, simultaneously or independently, equal to 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and R is simultaneously or independently selected from the group consisting of H, C wherein the optional substituents are selected from one or more of halo, OH, NH and wherein the catalyst further optionally comprises a base.