Solvent-Free Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene Catalyzed by Magnetically Recoverable Pt Deposited on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was investigated over magnetically recoverable Pt deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Under optimal reaction conditions (333 K, 4 MPa), high yield of aniline (>99%) was observed in solvent-free conditions. The Pt/MWCNTs catalyst cannot be reused while the Pt/MWCNTs-Fe₃O₄ can be recycled four times without any loss of activity. The results of characterization showed the existence of interaction between MWCNTs and Fe₃O₄, which can effectively stabilize the Pt nanoparticles. Moreover, the magnetic nanocomposites can be readily isolated from the reaction system by a magnet.

Keywords:

• amine
• hydrogenation
• platinum catalyst
• nitroarenes

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21207109), Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Provincial Education Department (11ZA034), the Program for Scientific and Technological Innovative Team in Sichuan Provincial Universities (2010008), the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis of Sichuan Institutes of High Education (No. LZJ1205), Program for Scientific Research Innovation Team of China West Normal University, and the funds provided by China West Normal University (09B006 and 10A018).