Ni–Co–Cu supported on pseudoboehmite-derived Al2O3: Highly efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of organic functional groups

Ni–Co–Cu catalysts supported on pseudoboehmite-derived Al2O3 were developed for efficient hydrogenation of organic functional groups: CN and NO2 associated with benzene as well as CC in butynediol. Factors such as thermo-treatment of pseudoboehmite, Ni loading, Cu and Co content, and catalyst operating parameters were systematically studied. Among the catalysts, 20%Ni–3%Cu–5%Co/Al2O3 performed the best, showing 100% feed conversion and 84–99.8% selectivity of target products. Techniques such as N2 sorption measurement, scanning electron microscope, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction and desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and in situ X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the catalysts. The superior performance of the catalyst can be attributed to synergetic interaction among the Ni–Cu–Co constitutes as well as enhancement of Ni2+ reduction and Ni0 dispersion that are resulted due to the co-presence of Cu and Co.

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► Ternary Ni–Cu–Co catalysts of low Ni loading supported by Al2O3 were developed.
► Catalyst is versatile yet efficient for hydrogenation of CN, NO2, and CC groups.
► Complete conversion and high selectivity were observed under mild conditions.
► Reduction of Ni2+ and dispersion of Ni0 are enhanced due to Cu and Co addition.
► Superior catalytic performance can be attributed to Ni–Cu–Co synergetic interaction.