Catalytic hydrogenation—I: The reaction of platinum metal salts with sodium borohydride—new active platinum metal catalysts for hydrogenation

Abstract

The treatment of Pt metal salt solutions with sodium borohydride results in the formation of finely divided black precipitates. Certain of these precipitates ar active catalysts for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. SomePt, Pd and Rhare active catalysts for the hydrogenation of olefins. If the precipitation is carried out in the presence of high surface area supports such as activated carbon, these materials show even greater activity. The Pt catalyst is remarkably active as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of a large variety of olefins; Pd, on the other hand, shows a marked sensitivity toward olefin structure. Rates of reaction were followed in a novel way, using a standard solution of sodium borohydride added to acid to supply pure hydrogen as required to maintain the pressure.