| abstract |
PURPOSE:To produce the subject compound in high yield, by directly reducing heterocyclic carboxylic acids with molecular hydrogen using a catalyst containing an oxide of zinc, yttrium, a lanthanoid or group IVA element. CONSTITUTION:A heterocyclic carboxylic acid containing one or more of N, S and O or a derivative thereof (e.g., methyl 3-nicotinate) is directly reduced with molecular hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, titanium oxide or zinc oxide) consisting of an oxide of one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of zinc, yttrium, lanthanoid elements (e.g., lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium or samarium) and group IVA elements of the periodic table as a catalyst to afford the corresponding heterocyclic aldehydes (e.g., 3-nicotinic aldehyde). Thereby, high conversion rate and selectivity can be attained. |