What are the Common Applications of Palladium Catalysts?
Palladium catalysts are extensively used in several key industrial processes. Some of the most common applications include:
- Hydrogenation Reactions: Palladium is widely used to catalyze hydrogenation reactions, where it helps in the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated compounds. - Cross-Coupling Reactions: Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, such as the Suzuki, Heck, and Stille reactions, are fundamental in organic synthesis, allowing the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. - Oxidation Reactions: Palladium catalysts are also employed in oxidation reactions, such as the Wacker process, which converts ethylene to acetaldehyde.
