Lindlar Catalyst: Its Discovery, Magic and Mystery

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 25 (2020) pp 18-24

Lindlar Catalyst: Its Discovery, Magic and Mystery

Crist N. Filer

PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc., 940 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, crist.filer@perkinelmer.com

Published: 19 February 2020

Abstract. Lindlar catalyst, discovered in 1952 by Swiss chemist Herbert Lindlar, can briefly be described as a mixture of metallic palladium deposited on calcium carbonate and poisoned by lead and other additives. However, this rather dull description belies the fascinating story of the discovery and impact that Lindlar catalyst has had on synthetic chemistry. This is the story of how a mysterious black powder could accomplish almost magical molecular transformations.

Key Words: Chemistry and History; inorganic chemistry

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: crist.filer@perkinelmer.com )

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