Tandem decarboxylative hydroformylation-hydrogenation reaction of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids toward aliphatic alcohols under mild conditions employing a supramolecular catalyst system.

A new atom economic catalytic method for a highly chemoselective reduction of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids to the corresponding saturated alcohols under mild reaction conditions, compatible with a wide range reactive functional groups, is reported. The new methodology consists of a novel tandem decarboxylative hydroformylation/aldehyde reduction sequence employing a unique supramolecular catalyst system.