Can H2/ Pd/C reduce both double bond and carbonyl group on benzene or only carbonyl group?

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The compound is:

C6H5-CH=CH-C=O-OCH3

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-30T15:45:16

#"H"_2//"Pd"//"C"# will reduce only the #"C=C"# double bond.

Palladium is an excellent catalyst for hydrogenation of #"C=C"# or #"C≡C"# bonds, but a poor catalyst for hydrogenation of #"C=O"# groups.

This may be caused by the weak adsorption of carbonyl groups on the surface of the catalyst.

I predict that only the #"C=C"# bond will be reduced.

#"C"_6"H"_5"CH=CHC(=O)OCH"_3 stackrelcolor(blue)("H"_2"/Pd/C"color(white)(m))(→) "C"_6"H"_5"CH"_2"CH"_2"C(=O)OCH"_3#