Density‐Dependent Formation of the Pure trans‐Isomer of the Unsaturated Alcohol by Selective Hydrogenation of Citral in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Selective hydrogenation of citral to unsaturated alcohol [geraniol (trans) + nerol (cis)] was carried out in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) using an MCM‐41 supported plantinum catalyst (∼1 wt% Pt). A remarkable rate of isomerization of the unsaturated alcohol [nerol (cis) to geraniol (trans)] during the hydrogenation of citral was achieved simply by tuning the density of CO2. Optimum reaction conditions were developed to obtain only geraniol (trans) with a selectivity of 98.8% and citral conversion of 99.8%. A significant change in the cis:trans ratio of the product (1:82.3) from the substrate (1:1.3) was observed depending on the various reaction parameters like carbon dioxide and hydrogen pressure, reactant concentration, reaction time and, particularly, the total selectivity for unsaturated alcohol [geraniol (trans) +nerol (cis)]. It has been observed that the presence of hydrogen is necessary for isomerization. Our results were explained in terms of a density‐dependent, two‐step model. The kinetic behaviour shows that the rate of isomerization was higher in scCO2 compared to other organic solvents and the pure form of geraniol (trans) was obtained exclusively. A probable reaction pathway was proposed in order to explain the isomerization during hydrogenation of citral in scCO2 medium.