Highly selective hydrogenation of CC double bond in unsaturated carbonyl compounds over NiC catalyst

Carbon was deposited over Raney type skeletal nickel catalysts by decomposing methane under controlled way; thereby pyrophoricity of Raney nickel was removed and non-pyrophoric nickel-carbon composite materials (NiC catalysts) were synthesised. XPS and XRD characterizations revealed that the catalysts consisted of nickel in metallic form with superficial oxide layers, carbon and aluminium oxide/hydroxide. The NiC catalysts were observed to be highly selective in hydrogenating CC double bond in unsaturated carbonyl compounds leaving the carbonyl group almost untouched. Crotonaldehyde and isophorone were used as model substrates.

► NiC catalysts were prepared by carbon deposition over Raney nickel. ► The prepared catalysts are non-pyrophoric and very stable during reaction. ► They are highly selective for CC hydrogenation in unsaturated carbonyl compounds. ► Crotonaldehyde and isophorone are used as model substrates. ► NiC catalysts containing 8–11 wt% carbon exhibit the best performances.