Air-Stable Ni Catalysts Prepared by Liquid-Phase Reduction Using Hydrosilanes for Reactions with Hydrogen

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Liquid-phase reduction is common for preparing catalytically active nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs).
• Existing methods using protective agents to control Ni NP size often reduce catalytic activity.
• Controlling Ni NP morphology and size is crucial for optimizing catalytic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for Ni NP synthesis using hydrosilane as a dual-function reducing and size-controlling agent.
• To investigate the influence of silicon substituents on Ni NP size and crystal phase.
• To evaluate the catalytic performance and stability of the prepared Ni NPs in organic transformations.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Ni NPs using hydrosilane as a reducing and size-controlling agent.
• Characterization of Ni NP size, morphology, and crystal phase.
• Evaluation of catalytic activity in hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds, aromatics, and heteroaromatics.
• Assessment of catalyst stability and handling properties under air.

Main Results:

• Hydrosilane effectively controlled Ni NP size and crystal phase based on silicon substituents.
• The prepared Ni NPs exhibited high catalytic performance in hydrogenation reactions, yielding products in high yields.
• The Ni NPs demonstrated superior air stability compared to conventional Ni catalysts like Raney Ni.
• The hydrosilane-assisted method was extended to supported Ni catalysts, enabling direct amination of alcohols.

Conclusions:

• Hydrosilane is a versatile agent for synthesizing size- and phase-controlled Ni NPs with enhanced catalytic activity and air stability.
• The developed method offers a promising alternative for preparing robust and efficient Ni-based catalysts.
• The Ni-Si/support system facilitates selective direct amination of alcohols, showcasing the broader applicability of this approach.