Selective reduction of phenol derivatives to cyclohexanones in water under microwave irradiation

Selective reduction of phenol to cyclohexanone over the Pd/C catalyst in the presence of a hydrogen source of HCOONa/H2O has been studied. Surprisingly, phenol was transformed efficiently to cyclohexanone in an excellent yield of above 98% under microwave irradiation. The influence of some parameters like reaction temperature, time and amount of hydrogen donor, as well as the reaction pathway has been discussed. The combination of microwave irradiation and HCOONa/H2O was certified to be effective for the reduction of phenol as well as its derivatives to their corresponding cyclohexanones.