INVESTIGATION OF THE HYDROGENATION OF UNSATURATED EPOXY COMPOUNDS

Comparative data on the hydrogenation of unconjugated and conjugated u nsaturated epoxy compounds are presented. For the case of 1,2-epoxy-7- octene and 1,2-epoxy-3-butene it is shown that the former are hydrogen ated mainly at the double bond, forming saturated epoxides. The direct ion of hydrogenation of conjugated epoxy compounds depends on the natu re of the catalyst. Opening of the epoxide ring occurs on nickel catal ysts with the formation of unsaturated alcohols, while, on palladium a nd copper catalysts, saturated epoxides are produced by hydrogenation of the double bond.