Selective Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation of 3,3-diphenylallyl alcohol: Efficient synthesis of 3,3-diarylpropylamine drugs diisopromine and feniprane

The Pd-catalyzed selective hydrogenation of CC double bond in (3,3-diphenylallyl)diisopropylamine or 3,3-diphenylallyl alcohol was evaluated using different catalytic systems [Pd/C, Pd(OAc)2/ionic liquid, isolated Pd(0) nanoparticles]. For the (3,3-diphenylallyl)diisopropylamine, hydrogenolysis is preferred over hydrogenation, and only moderate selectivities were obtained for the desired product. However, complete conversion and 100% selectivity were obtained for the hydrogenation of 3,3-diphenylallyl alcohol using isolated Pd(0) nanoparticles under mild condition. This successful strategy enabled the effective synthesis of diisopromine and feniprane drugs and opens new possibilities for the preparation of other biologically active compounds.