Regioselective hydrogenation of p-phenylphenol to p-cyclohexylphenol over Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent

Regioselective hydrogenation of p-phenylphenol (p-PP) to p-cyclohexylphenol (p-CP) was performed over 10 wt.% Pd/C catalyst in THF solvent. The selectivity of p-CP was up to 92.3% at 413 K under 3.5 MPa with 100% conversion of p-PP. The desired product could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by washing with aqueous NaOH following extraction by toluene. The reaction mechanism was discussed.