Aqueous-phase hydrogenation of alkenes and arenes: The growing role of nanoscale catalysts

• Recent developments in the aqueous-phase hydrogenation of alkenes and arenes.
• Traditional types of water-soluble catalysts applied in aqueous media.
• Recent trends towards the development of transition metal nanoparticle and nanocomposite catalysts.
• Palladium nanoparticle catalysts stabilized by ionic polymers, demonstrating superior activities in the aqueous-phase catalytic hydrogenation of styrene.

In this article we highlight some of the recent developments in the aqueous-phase hydrogenation of alkenes and arenes. The traditional types of water-soluble catalysts applied in aqueous media are outlined together with recent trends towards the development of transition metal nanoparticle and nanocomposite catalysts. In addition, we describe some palladium nanoparticle catalysts that are stabilized by ionic polymers, which demonstrate superior activities in the aqueous-phase catalytic hydrogenation of styrene, used as a model substrate, compared to related palladium nanoparticles.

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