Nanoheterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of arenes: Evaluation of the surfactant-stabilized aqueous Ruthenium(0) colloidal suspension

The hydrogenation of various aromatic compounds by a surfactant-stabilized aqueous ruthenium(0) colloidal suspension was investigated. The nanocatalysts in the size range of 2.5-3.5 nm were synthesized by reducing ruthenium trichloride salt with sodium borohydride and were stabilized by the highly water soluble N,N-dimethyl-N-cetyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride salt according to our classical approach. The efficient catalytic reactions were performed at room temperature and under hydrogen pressure. The effect of the stirring, namely magnetic stir bar or gas projection impeller, was also studied. A comparison with an analogous rhodium nanocatalyst is described.