Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Magnetic Porous Carbon Derived from ZIF-67 as Efficient Catalysts for the Semihydrogenation of Phenylacetylene under Extremely Mild Conditions

A new magnetic porous carbon (MDPC) derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) was synthesized successfully through the direct carbonization of ZIF-67 crystals and utilized as a support for Pd nanocatalysts. The prepared MDPC not only retains the original morphology of ZIF-67 crystals but also provides a high surface area and excellent magnetic properties. The designed catalysts (Pd-MDPC) were tested in the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene under extremely mild conditions. The Pd nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the MDPC matrix without aggregation and exhibited an excellent catalytic activity and high selectivity toward olefins under mild conditions (25 degrees C, H-2 1atm). The Pd-MDPC catalysts were further investigated in the semihydrogenation of several other terminal alkynes. Compared with most traditional carbon materials, such as activated carbon and carbon nanotubes, the MDPC possesses an admirable magnetism so that it could be separated magnetically from the reaction system. Our study indicates that MOF-derived porous carbon is a suitable support for noble-metal nanocatalysts and has promise in the field of nanocatalysis.