Catalytic hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones using cinchona–bipyridyl-based palladium catalyst

Understanding the need for simple, robust and low effluents, in chemical processes, we have developed an elegant protocol for the catalytic reduction of aldehydes and ketones to corresponding alcohols which are used in synthetic fragrance applications using cinchona alkaloid-derived palladium catalyst. This system holds good for very low catalyst loading surfaces with the formation of fewer impurities and negligible decomposition under moderate pressure. The conversions and yields range from moderate to good (60–80%).