Pd/polyaniline(SiO2) a novel catalyst for the hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone

A novel palladium catalyst supported on silica grains coated with polyaniline (PANI) (24.4 wt% of polymer) was used for the hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone (eAQ). This 2%Pd/PANI(SiO2) catalyst exhibited much better selectivity in the hydrogenation of eAQ to active quinones than that of 2%Pd/SiO2 prepared by a conventional precipitation method. It is suggested that the modification of properties of Pd centres by PANI matrix, has an effect on their reactivity. The weakening of the strength of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic character of polymer both can be considered as factors remarkably improving performance of Pd/PANI(SiO2) catalyst.