Catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of 4-nitrobenzyl esters of cephalosporins

Cephalosporins 1a-d have been selectively hydrogenolysed to their corresponding acids 2a-d without isomerisation of the cephem double-bond using anhydrous ammonium formate or phosphinic acid as catalytic transfer agents in the presence of 10% Pd/C. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.