Platinum nanoparticles supported on ionic liquid-modified magnetic nanoparticles: Selective hydrogenation catalysts

A method for supporting platinum nanoparticles on magnetite nanoparticles is described. The method requires modification of the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles with ionic liquid groups. Before modification, the magnetic nanoparticles are not stable and easily aggregate and, after modification, the magnetite nanoparticles become highly stable and soluble in polar or non-polar organic solvents depending on the alkyl group of the linked ionic liquids. The supporting of platinum nanoparticles on the modified magnetic nanoparticles was achieved by adsorbing platinum salts (K2PtCl4) on the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles via ion exchange with the linked ionic liquid groups and then reducing them by hydrazine. The supported platinum nanoparticles were applied in the catalytic hydrogenation of alkynes in which cis-alkenes were selectively produced, and in the hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes where the allyl alcohols were obtained as the exclusive products. The new catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixtures by applying an external magnetic field and recycled.