Glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol over a skeletal Ni-P amorphous alloy catalyst (Raney Ni-P)

A skeletal Ni-P amorphous alloy catalyst (Raney Ni-P) was prepared by alkali leaching of a Ni-AI-P amorphous precursor obtained by the rapid quenching technique of a melting solution containing Ni, Al, and P. This catalyst showed higher turnover rates (per surface Ni atom) than Raney Ni for the hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol, apparently as a result of promotion of Ni-active sites by phosphorus. The Raney Ni-P catalysts gave turnover rates similar to those measured on Ni-P amorphous alloys without Al, but they had a significantly higher density of Ni surface atoms. As a result, Raney Ni-P catalysts showed superior specific hydrogenation rates (per gram catalyst) than either Raney Ni or Ni-P amorphous alloys. (C) 2000 Academic Press.