ORGANIC-SOLID STATE REACTIONS .1. CATALYTIC-HYDROGENATION OF SOLID 4-TERT-BUTYLPHENOL - ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVITY OF SUPPORTED CATALYSTS, MECHANISM OF SOLID-STATE HYDROGENATION

The solid state hydrogenation of 4-tert-butylphenol has been studied in the presence of various supported catalysts. The reaction has been carried out under mild conditions; at room temperature and under one bar hydrogen pressure. It is shown that this hydrogenation is a real organic solid state reaction and that reactivity and selectivity are dependent on the catalyst used. Taking into account electronic conduction and transfer of mobile hydrogen species, a mechanism is proposed to explain the course of the reaction and the isomeric distribution of cis and trans alcohols.