Non-noble Nickel-Modified Covalent Organic Framework for Partial Hydrogenation of Aromatic Terminal Alkynes

Developing non-noble metal-based catalysts with excellent performance for selective hydrogenation of alkynes under mild reaction conditions is highly desirable but still faces challenges. Herein, a non-noble nickel-modified covalent organic framework (Ni/COF) had been synthesized through a facile post-modified method and followed by reduction at a different temperature under a H-2/Ar atmosphere. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and Fourier transforms infrared, and the optimal H-350-Ni/COF presents excellent catalytic performance in the semihydrogenation of a series of aromatic terminal alkyne substrates, particularly in the partial hydrogenation of phenylacetylene with nearly full conversion and 85% selectivity toward styrene under mild reaction conditions (10 bar of H-2, 100 degrees C, and 1 h). Moreover, such a catalyst also exhibited satisfying stability after three consecutive cycles.

Automated summary

In this study, a non-noble nickel-modified covalent organic framework catalyst was successfully synthesized and showed excellent performance in the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst exhibited high selectivity and good stability, making it a promising candidate for selective hydrogenation reactions.