Cellulose nanocrystals as non-innocent supports for the synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles and their application to arene hydrogenation

Ru nanoparticles were synthesized from RuCl3 undermild H-2 pressure within a suspension of cellulose nanocrystals. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the small Ru(0) nanoparticles (3.3 +/- 1 nm) were deposited onto their cellulosic support. This hybrid proved to be a highly efficient arene hydrogenation catalyst operational at 4 bars and room temperature.