Selective hydrogenation of phenol and related derivatives

Abstract

The selective hydrogenation of phenol and related derivatives to cyclohexanone and analogues remains a challenging task. In the present minireview, we highlight the research advances in this field. The first part introduces the significance, pathways and mechanisms of these reactions. The main part summarizes the reactions using different kinds of media (vapor phase, organic solvents, supercritical carbon dioxide, ionic liquids and water) and catalyst systems (non-supported catalysts and supported catalysts with metal oxides, polymers, carbon materials, mesoporous silica, metal–organic frameworks and graphitic carbon nitride etc. as the supports). Then the influence of factors such as the acid–base properties of the support, the chosen promoter and metal precursor, the structure sensitivity and deactivation are discussed in detail. The final section summarizes the kinetic studies.