Selective Hydrogenation of Dicyclopentadiene

The previously developed procedures for preparing dihydrodicyclopentadiene (DHDCPD) and tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (THDCPD) are considered comprehensively. The performance of traditional dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) hydrogenation catalysts (Raney Ni, Pd/C) is compared to that of catalysts based on Ni or Pd nanoparticles on a polymer matrix. Metal-containing catalytic systems showing the highest performance in selective (to obtain DHDCPD) and exhaustive (to obtain THDCPD) DCPD hydrogenation are considered. Analysis of the data published in the chemical literature and in patents allows the catalytic methods for selective hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene using catalysts based on palladium (and, possibly, also nickel), developed in the past decade, to be recommended as the most promising catalysts for commercial use.