Selective hydrogenation of α-pinene to cis-pinane over Ru nanocatalysts in aqueous micellar nanoreactorsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ra13099b

d -α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS-1000) stabilized Ru(0) nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. These nanoparticles were employed to selectively hydrogenate α-pinene to cis -pinane. With a small amount of Na 2 CO 3 present, reaction rates could be increased significantly, and the reaction medium could be readily recycled. TEM, CLSM, IR and leaching experiments were employed to quantify the advantages of the catalytic system. The procedure is environmentally friendly. It offers a reference for the catalytic hydrogenation of other hydrophobic natural products. Hydrogenation of α-pinene took place in the lipophilic core between the metal and the hydrogen-containing micelles.