Catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds by functionalized ionic liquids-stabilized nickel nanoparticles in aqueous phase: The influence of anions

Two kinds of nickel nanoparticles (NPs) well-dispersed in aqueous phase have been conveniently prepared by reducing nickel(II) salt with hydrazine in the presence of amino group (-NH2) functionalized ionic liquids: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bromide ([AMMIM][Br]) and 1-(3-aminopropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium acetate ([AMMIM][AcO]). The Ni(0) particles are composed of smaller ones which assemble in a blackberry-like shape. The Ni nanoparticles stabilized with [AMMIM][AcO] are much larger than those stabilized with [AMMIM][Br], and the former unexpectedly give much higher activity in the selective hydrogenation of citral and nitrobenzene (NB) in aqueous phase. The Ni(0) nanocatalysts dispersed in aqueous phase are stable enough to be reused at least five times without significant loss of catalytic activity and selectivity during the catalytic recycles.