Earlier, Sabatier had already observed the hydrogenolysis of benzyl alcohol to toluene, and as early as 1906, Padoa and Ponti had observed the hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol.
Sebelumnya, Sabatier telah mengamati hidrogenolisis benzil alkohol menjadi toluena, dan pada awal 1906, Padoa dan Ponti mengamati hidrogenolisis furfuril alkohol.