Molecular sieving carbon catalysts for liquid phase reactions: Study of alkene hydrogenation using platinum embedded nanoporous carbon

We present a simple method to synthesize shape selective carbon catalysts for large alkene hydrogenation reactions by tailoring porosity of platinum embedded in polyfurfuryl alcohol derived carbons. A small amount of mesoporosity, in addition to the intrinsic microporous nature of the carbon, shortens the diffusion length for the reactant molecule, enabling these materials to be used for catalysis in the liquid phase. A systematic study of hydrogenation reactions of liquid phase alkenes is reported. The molecular sieving effect of the catalyst was examined by varying molecular length, size, double bond position, stereoregularity and the number of double bonds in the alkenes.

Graphical abstractPlatinum embedded carbon catalyst, size and shape selective alkene hydrogenation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (172 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Designed shape selective carbon based catalysts with controlled porosity. ► Probed size and shape selectivity using alkene hydrogenation reactions. ► Tested alkenes with different molecular dimensions and CC number and position.