Catalytically active gauze-supported skeletal nickel prepared from Ni–Zn alloys electrodeposited from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture

• Electrodeposition of nickel–zinc alloys from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone mixture.
• Chemical removal of zinc to yield an active, gauze-supported skeletal nickel.
• The catalyst is more active and selective than the commercial catalyst.
• The catalyst is reusable without loss of selectivity.

Nickel–zinc alloys were electrodeposited on copper gauze from an acetamide–dimethyl sulfone eutectic mixture containing nickel chloride and zinc chloride. The as-deposited nickel–zinc alloys have compact microstructures with very small crystallites (approximately 3 nm) and smooth surfaces. The nickel content could be varied between 20 and 90 wt.% by controlling the temperature of the electrolyte. After alkaline leaching, a gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst was obtained. The catalyst was benchmarked against commercial aluminum based Raney nickel in liquid phase hydrogenation of acetophenone. The gauze-supported zinc based skeletal nickel was more active and selective as compared to the commercial aluminum based Raney nickel. In addition, the gauze-supported zinc based Raney nickel catalyst could be reused without any hydrogen pretreatment. The activity of the reused catalyst decreased by 20%, but it retained its excellent selectivity.

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