Rh/C-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Aromatic Compounds in Water

Significance A mild and facile method for hydrogenation of aromatic rings in water was successfully developed. Thus, arenes were treated with H 2 in the presence of Rh/C in H 2 O to afford the corresponding cyclohexane derivatives in 73-95% yield (eq. 1). Hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds was also successfully performed. Thus, 2-amylfurane (eq. 2), 3-hydroxypyridine, and 3-pyridinecaxamide (eq. 3) were hydrogenated to afford the corresponding saturated compounds in 90%, 96%, and 97% yield, respectively.