Selective Hydrogenation Reaction: Utilizing a Microreactor for Continuous Flow Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles

Abstract

Introduction: In this investigation, we employed a continuous flow reactor to synthesize nickel (Ni) nanoparticles exhibiting uniform size distribution and excellent stability. Our focus centered on exploring the impact of reactant dilution and flow rate on the synthesis process. Result: It was observed that the optimization of these parameters played a pivotal role in obtaining small-sized Ni nanoparticles. Specifically, we achieved successful synthesis using a solution of 0.00025 M NiCl2·6H2O and 0.002 M NaBH4, with a flow rate of 25 mL/h. The resulting Ni nanoparticles were effectively coated with the CTAB surfactant, as confirmed through thorough analysis using TEM and PSD techniques. Additionally, the interaction between the surfactant and nanoparticles was verified via FTIR analysis. We subjected them to high-pressure alkene hydrogenation to assess the catalytic activity of the synthesized Ni nanoparticles. Method: Encouragingly, the Ni nanoparticles exhibited excellent performance, producing hydrogenated products with high yields. Moreover, we capitalized on Ni nanoparticles' catalytic effect for synthesizing two natural compounds, brittonin A and dehydrobrittonin A. Remarkably, both compounds were successfully isolated in quantifiable yields. This synthesis protocol boasted several advantages, including low catalyst loading, omission of additives, broad substrate scope, straightforward product separation, and the ability to recover the catalyst up to eight times. In summary, this study effectively showcased the potential of continuous flow reactor technology in synthesizing stable and uniformly distributed nanoparticles. Conclusion: Additionally, it highlighted the effectiveness of Ni nanoparticles as catalysts in various chemical reactions. The findings from this study hold significant implications for developing more efficient and sustainable chemical synthesis protocols.