Activated carbon supported molybdenum carbides as cheap and highly efficient catalyst in the selective hydrogenation of naphthalene to tetralin

The selective hydrogenation of naphthalene to tetralin has been conducted on Mo2C/AC prepared by microwave irradiation, and achieved a lasting high conversion with 100% selectivity up to 60 hours. The choice of activated carbon as a support is critical in gaining an ideal balance between high activity and good stability of the catalyst.