Selective maltose hydrogenation to maltitol on a ternary Co–P–B amorphous catalyst and the synergistic effects of alloying B and P

A ternary Co–P–B amorphous alloy catalyst was prepared by chemical reduction with the mixed KBH4 and NaH2PO2 in aqueous solution, and was characterized by ICP, XRD, SAED, TEM, SEM, XPS, H2-TPD and hydrogen chemisorption. During liquid phase hydrogenation of maltose, the as-prepared Co–P–B catalysts exhibited 100% selectivity to maltitol and much higher activity than the Co–B, Co–P and Raney Ni, apparently owing to the synergistic promotions of the alloying B and P. More specifically, the alloying B increased the number of active sites (Sact) and donated partial electrons to the Co, which was favorable for the hydrogenation of the CO group in the maltose. Furthermore, the alloying P led to the enhancement of the intrinsic activity (RHS) by forming new Co clusters as active sites. The maximum activity was obtained on the Co72.2P5.9B21.9.

Graphical abstractA ternary Co–P–B amorphous alloy catalyst was prepared by chemical reduction with the mixed KBH4 and NaH2PO2 in aqueous solution. During liquid phase hydrogenation of maltose, the as-prepared Co–P–B catalysts exhibited 100% selectivity to maltitol and much higher activity than the Co–B, Co–P and Raney Ni, apparently owing to the synergistic promotions of the alloying B and P.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide