Intensifying Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde to Cinnamyl Alcohol: Catalyst, Solvent and Operating Conditions

AbstractCinnamyl alcohol (COL) is one of the important perfumery chemicals and is obtained from cinnamaldehyde (CAL). This work presents one of the two steps of intensifying the hydrogenation of CAL to COL. Critical analysis of published results was carried out to identify most promising catalyst system (5% Pt/C catalyst and aqueous KOH as a promoter). Appropriate experimental methodology, which ensures adequate material balance and eliminates influence of mass transfer, etc., was established. Influence of key reaction parameters such as solvents, catalyst loading, hydrogen pressure and temperature of the reaction on the activity and selectivity towards COL was investigated. The experimental results were analysed to clearly bring out desired operating parameters which optimise reaction rate and selectivity. Recyclability of catalyst was also verified by carrying out couple of recycle experiments. The results presented here will be useful as a first step for intensifying the hydrogenation of CAL and conver...