Influence of amines on the activity and selectivity of a skeletal nickel catalyst

Abstract

1. The influence of amines and heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen on the rate and selectivity of the hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene, tolane, and dimethylvinylethynylcarbinol was studied in the presence of a skeletal nickel catalyst. 2. In the presence of methylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, piperidine, 4-ethylpyridine, benzotriazole, and quinoline methiodide, cyclopentadiene, tolane, and dimethylvinylethynylcarbinol are selectively hydrogenated on a skeletal nickel catalyst to the corresponding monoolefinic compounds. Such selectivity may be explained by the reversible adsorption poisoning of the catalyst. 3. In the presence of α-naphthylamine, diethylamine, diphenylamine, and 2-ethylpyridine, the hydrogenation of cyclopentadiene, tolane, and dimethylvinylethynylcarbinol is nonselective; the monoolefinic compounds formed are hydrogenated further, forming the fully hydrogenated compounds.