| abstract |
Suggested is a new process for the selective hydrogenation of (poly)unsaturated hydrocarbons, in particular polyunsaturated fatty acid alkyl esters into the respective saturated and/or monounsaturated species, of aldehydes into respective alcohols and of aromatic compounds into respective saturated cyclic compounds using homogenous catalysts in a biphasic aqueous/organic solvent system, which is characterised in that said catalysts represent complexes of main-group I-V metals with water-soluble amine ligands. |