Regioselective hydrogenation of p-phenylphenol to p-cyclohexylphenol over Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent

Abstract Regioselective hydrogenation of p -phenylphenol ( p -PP) to p -cyclohexylphenol ( p -CP) was performed over 10 wt.% Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent. The selectivity of p -CP was up to 92.3% at 413 K under 3.5 MPa with 100% conversion of p -PP. The desired product could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by washing with aqueous NaOH following extraction by toluene. The reaction mechanism was discussed.