Ruthenium on α-Ni(OH)2 as potential catalyst for anisole hydrotreating and cinnamyl alcohol oxidation

• Published in: Reaction kinetics, mechanisms and catalysis mechanisms and catalysis, 2022-06, Vol.135 (3), p.1587-1606
• Main Authors: Neethu, P. P., Aswin, P., Sreenavya, A., Nimisha, S., Aswathi, P. S., Sakthivel, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 1878-5190; 1878-5204
• DOI: 10.1007/s11144-022-02211-z

Ruthenium containing α-Ni(OH) 2 was prepared by a simple impregnation method, the resultant materials with 4 wt% ruthenium loaded nickel hydroxide forms a solid solution of Ni–Ru mixed metal oxide upon calcination. The formation of uniform layered α-nickel hydroxide with ruthenium dispersed on the surface was evident from various analytical and spectroscopic techniques such as powder XRD, XPS, FT-IR and sorption studies. The Ni–Ru-HT catalyst under hydrogen atmosphere showed as a potential catalyst for hydrotreating of anisole with good conversion (90% at 175 °C and 20 bar H 2 pressure), with the formation of toluene as a major product along with a considerable amount of methylcyclohexane and benzene as the minor products. The formation of a solid solution of mixed oxide and the dispersion of Ni and Ru on the surface of the oxide enhanced the catalytic activity. Further, the material obtained by calcination at 200 °C is active for the oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol in the presence of tertiary -butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP) in decane as an oxidant under ambient conditions (90 °C and 6 h). A maximum of 84% conversion of cinnamyl alcohol and more than 80% selectivity for cinnamaldehyde was obtained on the best catalyst. The activity remains intact even after four cycles. The ruthenium on α-Ni(OH) 2 was found to be a potential catalyst for the conversion of lignin model compounds to value-added chemicals.