Raney metal catalysts: I. comparative properties of raney nickel proceeding from Ni-Ai intermetallic phases

Abstract

Raney nickel catalysts, prepared from well defined pure phases, have been characterised by bulk composition, total and nickel surface areas, structure, activity and sensitivity to sulfur compounds. The catalyst formed from the Ni 2Al 3 phase has 3 times more residual aluminium than that obtained from the NiAl 3 phase and it also develops the highest surface areas. Raney nickel prepared from a commercial 50–50 wt% Ni-AI alloy is a mixture of the samples obtained from the two pure phases. The origin of the catalyst has no effect upon either its activity and selectivity to benzene and isoprene hydrogenation or its catalytic properties in presence of thiophene or t-butyl mercaptan.