Patent ID: 7754929

Claim:
A process for the catalytic reduction by 1,4-hydrogenation, using molecular H 2 , of sorbol of formula into the corresponding Z-alkene, of formula wherein the isomer of configuration Z is predominant; wherein the process is carried out in the presence of at least one ruthenium catalyst or pre-catalyst of formula [Ru(C 5 Me 5 )(COD)(L′) n ]X (III) wherein C 5 Me 5 represents pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl, COD a cyclooctadiene ligand and X represents a non coordinated anion, n represents 2, 1 or 0 and L′ represents a solvent; and at least one acidic additive selected from the group consisting of: a compound of formula R 3 (3-x) MO(OH) x , wherein R 3 is a R 4 or R 4 O group wherein R 4 is a C 1 -C 10 group, M is P or As and x is 1 or 2; a boron derivative of formula R 3 B(OH) 2 , wherein R 3 is as defined above; and phenol or a phenol substituted by up to three C 1 -C 4 alkyl, alkoxy or carboxylic groups, nitro groups or halogen atoms; C 1 -C 12 mono-carboxylic non-amino acid; a HOOCCH═CHCOOH di-acid, and the tetronic acid.