IRON-CATALYZED TRANSFER HYDROGENATION OF STYRENE OXIDES TO PRIMARY ALCOHOLS

Abstract

This thesis reports the Iron-catalyzed synthesis of primary alcohols from styrene oxides selectively via transfer hydrogenation process in good yields under mild conditions. Iron catalyst used here is cheap and easily available and silanes were used as hydride donor. Owing to the difficulty in conventional hydrogenation which requires high H2 pressure conditions, and are difficult to handle, we have chosen silanes which are comparatively easier to handle.