Easy and partial hydrogenation of aromatic carbonyls to benzyl alcohols using Pd/C(en)-catalyst

Although 10% Pd/C catalyzed hydrogenolysis of aromatic ketones and aldehydes readily affords methylene compounds via intermediary benzyl alcohols, the employment of 10% Pd/C–ethylenediamine complex [Pd/C(en)] as a catalyst eased the formation of benzyl alcohols.