A solvent-controlled highly efficient Pd–C catalyzed hydrogenolysis of benzaldehydes to methylbenzenes via a novel ‘acetal pathway’

Pd–C catalyzed hydrogenolysis of benzaldehydes to methylbenzenes has been described to proceed via a ‘benzenemethanol pathway’. In this article, a novel ‘acetal pathway’ was first revealed by a systematic study when lower alcohols were used as solvents and a solvent-controlled highly efficient procedure was established.