Manufacture of Citronellal by the Rhodium‐Catalyzed Homogeneous Hydrogenation of Neral

The highly chemoselective hydrogenation of neral affording citronellal is described. The reaction has been conducted with homogeneous rhodium complexes. Among the set of ancillary diphosphane ligands tested, Xantphos was found to be superior. The relevant precatalyst has been generated from neutral metal sources such as Rh(acac)(CO)2 or the carbon monoxide‐free rhodium source Rh(acac)(cod) in the absence of any base. A high activity and chemoselectivity in favor of the desired citronellal is achieved at 0.1 MPa and room temperature. Under the same conditions, geranial is also reduced to citronellal. The addition of carbon monoxide to the hydrogen stream as used in an industrial process is not necessary. magnified image