Highly selective CC bond hydrogenation in α,β-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by hectorite-supported ruthenium nanoparticles

Metallic ruthenium nanoparticles intercalated in hectorite (particle size ∼7 nm) were found to catalyze the specific hydrogenation (conversion 100%, selectivity > 99.9%) of the carbon–carbon double bond in α,β-unsaturated ketones such as 3-buten-2-one, 3-penten-2-one, 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one. The catalytic turnovers range from 765 to 91,800, the reaction conditions being very mild (temperature 35 °C and constant hydrogen pressure 1–10 bar). After a catalytic run, the catalyst can be recycled and reused without loss of activity and selectivity

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► Metallic ruthenium nanoparticles intercalated in hectorite are hydrogenation catalysts.
► They selectively catalyze the CC bond hydrogenation in α,β-unsaturated ketones.
► The reaction conditions are very mild (35 °C, 1–10 bar H2 pressure).
► Best results are obtained for selective hydrogenation of mesityl oxide.
► Hectorite-supported ruthenium nanoparticles can be recycled and reused.