Supported RuB amorphous alloy mediated 1 atm hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds under ambient temperature

Tin promoted RuB amorphous alloy supported on SiO2 was prepared by a novel reductant impregnation method for the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds to the corresponding alcohol under atmospheric H2 and ambient temperature. The as-prepared Ru–Sn–B/SiO2 catalyst presented high activity for hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds even under atmospheric H2. The TEM images showed that addition of tin improved the dispersion of RuB particles, and then significantly increased the conversion of carbonyl compounds. Based on the XPS spectra and catalytic performance, tin in Ru–Sn–B/SiO2 catalyst was supposed to play a role of adsorbing and activating the CO bond of carbonyl group during the hydrogenation.