1,4-Cyclohexadiene with Pd/C as a rapid, safe transfer hydrogenation system with microwave heating

A method for the rapid, safe hydrogenation of alkenes and deprotection of benzyl ethers and carboxybenzyl amides is described using catalytic transfer hydrogenation under microwave heating conditions. Commonly available Pd/C catalyst is extremely effective with 1,4-cyclohexadiene as the hydrogen transfer source. In general, the reactions are complete within five minutes at 100 °C.