Self-recognition in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of an optically active compound over Pd/SiO2 catalysts

In the reactions of (+)-apopinene (1) in the presence of hydrogen, an optically active hydrocarbon-like layer forms over the surface of Pd catalysts. It is suggested that this layer adsorbs one isomer preferentially, and that it provides the sites for both isomerization and hydrogenation.