Tuning the support adsorption properties of Pd/SiO2 by silylation to improve …

Abstract. Silylation of Pd/SiO2 catalysts increases the selectivity toward alcohols in the reduction of aromatic ketones. This work demonstrates that the selectivity is directly related to the adsorption strength of the alcohol on the surface of the support relative to the adsorption strength of the ketone. This observation can be explained by interaction of the support coverage with the me…