Hydrogenation of olefins using ligand-stabilized palladium nanoparticles in an ionic liquid

Phenanthroline (Phen) ligand-protected palladium nanoparticles in ionic liquid (IL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) are very active and selective for the hydrogenation of olefins, and the nanoparticles/IL system can be reused many times without reducing the activity.