Copper-doped palladium and platinum catalysts for selective hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene

The combination of Pd₂dba₃ with electrochemically synthesized Cu nanoparticles enabled highly efficient and selective hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene to cis-stilbene under mild conditions (10 atm H₂) with yields up to 92% at an optimal Cu/Pd ratio of 1 : 2. It was found that both deviations from this ratio and the use of platinum-based analogs lead to a significant decrease in activity or complete deactivation, highlighting the unique synergy between Cu and Pd. It is concluded that precise compositional control plays a crucial role in the development of cost-effective and selective catalysts.