Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. Hydrogenation typically constitutes the addition of pairs of hydrogen atoms to a molecule, often an alkene. Catalysts are required for the reaction to be usable; non-catalytic hydrogenation takes place only at very high temperatures. Hydrogenation reduces double and triple bonds in hydrocarbons. Process Hydrogenation has three components, the unsaturated substrate, the hydrogen (or hydrogen source) and, invariably, a catalyst. The reduction reaction is carried out at different temperatures and pressures depending upon the substrate and the activity of the catalyst. Related or competing reactions #Food industry The same catalysts and conditions that are used for hydrogenation reactions can also lead to isomerization

Selective Gas Phase Hydrogenation of

Fernando Cardenas Lizana, Rocio Micaela Crespo Quesada, Lioubov Kiwi, Xiaodong Wang

The gas phase (1 atm, 453 K) hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) over a series of laboratory-synthesized and commercial Pd (1-10% wt) supported on activated carbon (AC) and non-reducible (SiO2 and Al2O3) and reducible (ZnO) oxides has been examined. Reaction over these catalysts generated the target p-chloroaniline (p-CAN) (via selective hydrogenation) and nitrobenzene (NB)/aniline (AN) as a result of a combined hydrodechlorination/hydrogenation. A range of Pd nanoparticles with mean sizes 2.4-12.6 nm (from HRTEM and H-2/CO chemisorption) were generated. Both the p-CNB transformation rate and H-2 chemisorption increased with decreasing Pd size. Residual Mo (from the stabilizer used in the synthesis of Pd colloids) suppressed activity, but this was circumvented by the use of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP). Pd/AC generated p-CAN and AN as principal products, Pd on SiO2 and Al2O3 exhibited hydrodechlorination character generating AN and NB, and Pd/ZnO promoted the sole formation of p-CAN at all levels of conversion. Reaction selectivity is linked to Pd electron density with the formation of Pd delta+ on AC and the occurrence of Pd delta+ on SiO2 and Al2O3. Reaction exclusivity to p-CAN over Pd/ZnO is attributed to the formation of PdZn alloy (demonstrated by XPS), which selectively activates the -NO2 group. This is the first report that demonstrates 100% selectivity for p-CNB -> p-CAN over supported Pd.

American Chemical Society2013

Direct Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Formic Acid in Acidic Media

Séverine Joëlle Moret

A major challenge in the face of increasing global energy demand is the development of alternative environmentally friendly and renewable energy resources. Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier, but has drawbacks in storage density and is dangerous to handle. An alternative approach involves controlled release of hydrogen from suitable materials, and an excellent candidate for this is formic acid. Because hydrogen production from formic acid is more convenient in acidic aqueous solutions, development of direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation has to be carried out under the same acidic conditions that provides a direct reversible hydrogen storage system. As current sources of formic acid are derived from fossil fuels, emphasis must be placed on conversion of renewable carbon sources to this materials. This thesis examines the direct hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid using homogeneous catalysts. Importantly, this reaction was achieved in base and additive-free conditions. Direct formic acid synthesis, without any additives has several advantages, including simpler isolation of the product. In addition, formic acid can also be used as a feedstock chemical and thus contributing to decrease the released CO2 to the atmosphere and consequently to the possible reduction of the greenhouse effect. A homogeneous catalytic system based on a [RuCl2(PTA)4] pre-catalyst active for carbon dioxide hydrogenation without the need for additives was developed. While unprecedented conversions were achieved in aqueous mixtures, a remarkable solvent effect was discovered for dimethyl sulfoxide. Furthermore, both catalytic systems are air stable and highly robust allowing for multiple recycling runs. Studies on the activity of the ruthenium pre-catalyst in the reverse reaction of hydrogen delivery in dimethyl sulfoxide have been undertaken and revealed promising results to achieve a CO2 neutral catalytic cycles. Mechanistic studies were carried out using NMR spectroscopy and provide valuable insights into the reasons for the high activities for the catalyst. After a general introduction on current hydrogen storage technologies, the research undertaken in this thesis will be presented in three main parts: (1) Optimization of the high pressure sapphire NMR techniques used for the study of systems under pressure; (2) Development of homogeneous ruthenium catalytic systems for the direct hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid; (3) Mechanistic studies on the direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation using the [RuCl2(PTA)4] pre-catalyst

EPFL2014

Direct Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Formic Acid in Acidic Media

Séverine Joëlle Moret

EPFL2014

Selective Gas Phase Hydrogenation of

Selective hydrogenation of an a,b-unsaturated aldehyde using palladium catalysts

Direct Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Formic Acid in Acidic Media

Selective hydrogenation of an a,b-unsaturated aldehyde using palladium catalysts

Selective Gas Phase Hydrogenation of

Direct Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Formic Acid in Acidic Media