Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of the supported Ni catalysts for highly efficient one-step hydrogenation of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene to 1,5-diaminodecahydronaphthalene

•Catalytic one-step hydrogenation of nitro aromatics to alicyclic amine is studied.•Full hydrogenation of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene to 1,5-diamino decahydronaphthalene.•10%Ni/SiO2 modified with sesbania powder is the most active.•Ni content, support, solvent, pressure, temperature affect the yield of 1,5-DADHN.•Negative effect of the water amount is observed.

A series of the supported nickel catalysts have been synthesized through impregnation, characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 sorption measurement, temperature programmed H2 reduction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology and particle size of catalysts are imaged by scanning electron microscope. The catalysts have efficiently catalyzed the one-step hydrogenation of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene to 1,5-diaminodecahydronaphthalene. The catalyst 10%Ni/SiO2-1a is the most active for the titled hydrogenation with 100 mol% conversion and 95.3% selectivity, applicable for the catalytic one-step hydrogenation of nitro-aromatic compounds. The reducibility of NiO species on different supports has been carefully studied. Some factors such as the type of carriers, the addition of modifiers, the silica source, the Ni loading, the H2 pressure and the reaction temperature and time play important roles in controlling the hydrogenation. In addition, the negative effect of the water amount has been observed. The recycling tests reveal the recyclability and stability of the supported Ni catalyst.

Graphical abstractHighly efficient catalytic hydrogenation of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene with nitro groups and aromatic rings to 1,5-diaminodecahydronaphthalene is carried out over the supported Ni catalysts through one-step reaction strategy.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (107 K)Download as PowerPoint slide