Clay entrapped nickel nanoparticles as efficient and recyclable catalysts for hydrogenation of olefins

Nickel nanoparticles are prepared in the interlamellar spaces of K10-Montmorillonite clay by chemical reduction at moderate temperatures. These clay entrapped nickel nanoparticles are characterized by UV-vis, powder XRD, EDX and HRTEM studies. The resultant ecofriendly supramolecular assembly with nickel content (2.84 wt%) has good catalytic efficiency in hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes with hydrazine as a reducing agent in ethanol medium. Advantages of the present study include absence of an external hydrogen source, catalyst reusability and a green medium. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.