Transformation of PET-derived 1,4-benzenedimethanol to make useful alcohols.

We report here a catalytic method to transform 1,4-benzenedimethanol to 3-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)propan-1-ol by coupling 1,4-benzenedimethanol with ethanol using a ruthenium catalyst. Through systematic optimization of catalytic conditions, a high TON of up to 400 000 has been achieved. Based on previous studies and those reported herein, we suggest that the reaction proceeds via a hydrogen-borrowing mechanism. Further conversion of 1,4-benzenedimethanol and 3-(4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)propan-1-ol through selective hydrodeoxygenation to make useful alcohols has also been demonstrated.