β-cyclodextrin and hydripentacyanocobaltate catalyzed selective hydrogenation of α,β,-unsaturated acids and their derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)88883-8

Hydrogenation of the double bond of α,β-unsaturated acids, esters, anhydrides, amides, and nitriles occurs in good to excellent yields using in situ generated HCo(CN)₅^-3, and β-cyclodextrin as the phase transfer catalyst. Hydrolysis of the acid derivative usually accompanies double bond reduction.