Allylic alcohol synthesis by gas-phase hydrogen transfer reduction of unsaturated ketones

Gas-phase reduction of 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one (mesityl oxide) to allylic alcohol was studied on MgO using alcohols as hydrogen donors. Reaction proceeds on the surface Mg2+−O2− pairs by a Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley mechanism. Stability, activity and selectivity of MgO were strongly dependent on the reaction temperature, reactant ratio, contact time, and hydrogen donor.