Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation in Water

This chapter summarizes the major advances in aqueous-phase reduction made in the past one decade or so. The coverage includes water-soluble ligands and catalysts, hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation drawing examples from both achiral and chiral reactions, and a brief discussion on the role of water. Various functional groups are featured, including C=C, C=O, C=N, CO2, NO2, and arenes. While homogeneous metal catalysts are the focal point, examples of heterogeneous reduction are also highlighted, so are biomimetic catalysts.