Cobalt-ligand catalyst successfully converts carboxylic acids and esters into alcohols

(Phys.org)—Researchers report the discovery of a cobalt-ligand catalyst system that serves as a homogeneous catalyst for the hydrogenation of esters and carboxylic acids to alcohols. Ties J. Korstanje, Jarl Ivar van der Vlught, Cornelis J. Elsevier, and Bas de Bruin of Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam demonstrate their catalyst's versatility in reducing a variety of bio-based carboxylic acids and esters under relatively mild conditions. Furthermore, thei