The reduction of aromatic nitro compounds with hydrogen in the presence of palladium or platinum catalysts leads to the corresponding aromatic amines also known as anilines. Under similar conditions, aryl halides are reduced to the corresponding aromatic compound in a dehalogenation reaction.  Hydrogenations are one of the most prelevant reduction technologies.

Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation is widely used for the conversion of unsaturated compounds to their saturated analogs. Typically, these reactions require the use of a precious metal (palladium or platinum are common) catalysts for the process to run under moderate conditions. Catalysts can be either heterogeneous (insoluble) or homogeneous (soluble) depending on the nature of the process. Catalyst selection plays an important part of the process development as the catalyst will affect the conditions, selectivity, productivity, and yield of the process.

Wolff-Kishner Reaction

The Wolff-Kishner reaction is used to reduce carbonyl compounds to alkanes in a direct and selective way. CABB operates a specific plant for this reaction and has extensive experience in the design and operation of continuous production processes, proven to be more uniform, safer and more stable, increasing both yield and quality.

Target molecules:

• Alkanes
• Cycloalkanes
• Amines

Advantage CABB:

Kokkola’s flexible unit operations employ the latest hydrogenation techniques (up to 40 bar) to produce custom fine chemicals for a broad range of applications.