Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene over palladium-silver catalysts

Abstract

The rates of hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in n-butanol have been measured over catalysts of the palladium-silver alloy system. Variation of the experimental activation energy from low (about 5 kcal mole −1) values on palladium rich alloys, to much higher values on silver-rich alloys (about 25 kcal mole −1) is consistent with the electronic band theory of catalysis, and the view that the promotion of electrons from within the conduction band of the solid to its Fermi surface under the influence of the adsorbate is rate determining.