Synthesis of a nano-nickel catalyst modified by ruthenium for hydrogenation and hydrodechlorination

A nano-nickel catalyst was prepared by chemical reduction with N2H4 center dot H2O, and was modified with ruthenium by chemical replacement. The nano-Ni and NiRu catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalysts were evaluated in the liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene. The NiRu catalyst exhibited a much higher selectivity to the hydrocinnamaldehyde and a better hydrodechlorination activity and stability than those of the Ni catalyst. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.