The Rosenmund reduction utilizes hydrogen gas over a palladium catalyst to convert acyl chlorides in β Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
The Rosenmund reduction utilizes hydrogen gas over a palladium catalyst to convert acyl chlorides into aldehydes. What is the fundamental mechanistic role of adding Barium sulfate ($BaSO_4$) and traces of quinoline or sulfur to the catalyst?
Answer: B
π‘ Solution & Explanation
The untreated Palladium catalyst is so highly active that it would reduce the acyl chloride all the way past the aldehyde stage to a primary alcohol. $BaSO_4$ and quinoline act as "poisons" that deactivate the catalyst just enough so that the reduction strictly stops at the aldehyde stage.
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