Palladium-catalyzed reduction of olefins with triethylsilane

The versatility of the palladium(II) chloride and triethylsilane system has been tested in the hydrogenation of 1-alkenes. The reduction of 1-alkenes was carried out in the presence of triethylsilane, ethanol and a catalytic amount of palladium(II) chloride, at room temperature. This facile and efficient method affords high yields for hydrogenation of unsaturated alkenes to the corresponding alkanes.