Earlier, Sabatier had already observed the hydrogenolysis of benzyl alcohol to toluene, and as early as 1906, Padoa and Ponti had observed the hydrogenolysis of furfuryl alcohol.
Zuvor hatte bereits Paul Sabatier die Hydrogenolyse von Benzylalkohol zu Toluol beobachtet und bereits 1906 hatten Padoa und Ponti die Hydrogenolyse von Furfurylalkohol beobachtet.