Magnetically Recoverable Palladium(0) Nanocomposite Catalyst for Hydrogenation Reactions in Water

Abstract

AbstractAn easy and straightforward strategy has been used for loading palladium(0) nanoparticles onto the magnetic surface of maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3), without the use of organic modifiers. The nanocomposite was fully characterized by TEM, XRD, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device measurements. The Pd0@γ‐Fe2O3 nanocatalyst has been investigated in various catalytic reactions, under mild conditions (100 kPa H2, RT), and in neat water. Relevant catalytic activities were achieved in the hydrogenation of olefinic substrates, as well as in hydrodehalogenation reactions of halogenoarenes, that constitutes a promising process for wastewater treatment. These nanocatalysts proved also pertinent for the reduction of nitroarene derivatives into the corresponding anilines, which are promising substrates for fine chemistry. Finally, these catalysts proved to be easily recoverable through the use of an external magnet, without significant loss of activity.