Question

Explain the mechanism of acyl catalytic hydrogenation.

Hint:

Catalytic hydrogenation is used to reduce alkenes and alkynes to alkanes and can also reduce carbonyl compounds to alcohols.

Answer 1

The mechanism of acyl catalytic hydrogenation involves the following steps: 1. The catalyst (often palladium or platinum) adsorbs the hydrogen molecules and the unsaturated acyl compound onto its surface. 2. The atomic hydrogen adds across the carbon-carbon double bond of the acyl compound. 3. This leads to the formation of an alkyl group, resulting in the reduction of the acyl group.