PVP-NiB amorphous catalyst for selective hydrogenation of phenol and its derivatives

PVP-NiB amorphous catalysts were prepared by the chemical reduction of nickel chloride with sodium borohydride, and characterized by infrared, X-ray diffraction, transmission election microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma. The relationship between the catalytic activity and nature of the active sites was discussed. PVP is a protective agent for preparing PVP-stabilized NiB catalysts, which improved the dispersion of the catalyst and stabilized its amorphous structure. The catalysis of phenol and its derivatives was evaluated in the aqueous phase. 99.9% conversion of phenol and 99.9% selectivity to cyclohexanol were obtained at 30 °C and 0.2 MPa H2 after 18 h over PVP-NiB. The generality of the PVP-NiB catalyst for this reaction was demonstrated by the selective hydrogenation of other phenol derivatives, which showed that the PVP-NiB catalyst was selective for the formation of cyclohexanol.

Graphical AbstractThe selective hydrogenation of phenol and its derivatives to saturated alcohols in the aqueous phase was achieved using water-soluble PVP-NiB nanoparticles under mild conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide