Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde over nickel-carbon composite catalyst

Abstract

Methane is decomposed to carbon and hydrogen over Raney nickel catalyst in controlled manner in order to deposit carbon; and thereby NiC composite catalysts have been prepared. The catalysts have been analyzed by atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The NiC catalysts are comprised of metallic nickel with superficial oxide and carbon. Electron density of Ni in the NiC catalysts is observed to be higher than that in the parent Raney nickel; this indicate partial charge transfer from carbon to nickel in the NiC catalysts. The NiC catalysts exhibite much better performance than the original Raney nickel catalyst in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde. They also exhibite stable performance in multiple reaction runs.