Semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene catalyzed by metallic nanoparticles containing noble metals

Stable mono and bimetallic nanoparticles have been prepared from colloids developed by a simple and reproducible method, based on a reduction-by-solvent process. This method allows for the preparation of metallic nanoparticles with different compositions (i.e., Ni-Pd, Fe-Pd, Mg-Pd, Pd, and Pt) and metallic ratios, and an average size of about 2 nm. Purified and nonpurified metallic species were used in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene in liquid phase under very mild conditions (1 bar H2 pressure and image). The catalysts prepared show high selectivity and activity toward styrene at very high loadings of phenylacetylene (substrate-to-catalyst weight ratio near 7500). Therefore, these materials are highly interesting as selective hydrogenation catalysts for reactions of great industrial importance.