Colloidal nickel(0)-carboxymethyl cellulose particles: A biopolymer-inorganic catalyst for hydrogenation of nitro-aromatics and carbonyl compounds

Colloidal solution of nickel(0) in carboxymethyl cellulose showed good catalytic efficiency in hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds, as well as aliphatic and aromatic ketones in aqueous medium yielding the respective aromatic amines and alcohols in excellent yield along with moderate to good reusability of the catalyst. The catalyst was isolated and characterized by powder XRD, EDX, SEM and TEM studies. The active phase of the catalyst consists of nickel nanoparticles entrapped in carboxymethyl cellulose (Col-Ni-CMC Nps). The ecofriendly synthesis was performed in water at room temperature by NaBH4 reduction of nickel chloride in the presence of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.