Selective reduction of alkynes catalyzed by palladium acetate with sodium methoxide as the hydride source

Treatment of internal alkynes with sodium methoxide in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and PPh3 in methanol for 48 h gave the reduction products, alkenes or alkanes in good chemical yields. This reaction proceeds through a palladium methanolate complex, followed by β-hydride elimination and reductive elimination.