Generation of Hydrogen from Water: A Pd-Catalyzed Reduction of Water Using Diboron Reagent at Ambient Conditions

Production of hydrogen from renewable sources, particularly from water, is an intensive area of research, which has far-reaching relevance in hydrogen economy. A homogeneous catalytic method is presented for producing clean hydrogen gas from water, in a reaction of water with a diboron compound as the reductant, under ambient reaction conditions. The Pd-catalytic system is stable in water and displays excellent recyclability. Hydroxy analogues such as alcohols are compatible with the Pd/B₂Pin₂ system and generate hydrogen gas efficiently. The B₂Pin₂-H₂O system, in the presence of palladium, is an excellent catalytic system for selective hydrogenation of olefins.