Quasi-homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation over monodisperse nickel and cobalt nanoparticles

Here, nearly monodisperse nanoparticles of nickel and cobalt with spherical morphologies were successfully synthesized using a solvothermal process. Hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was selected as a model reaction, and the nickel colloids exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability. The ferromagnetic property of the nickel nanoparticles provided a convenient route for separating the catalyst from the reaction system in an applied magnetic field. The nickel colloids demonstrate the character of quasi-homogeneous catalysts because they have the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, such as high activity and easy separation for re-use, suggesting that they may be suitable for industrial application.