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Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes

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Interfacial Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reverses Water Inhibition for Selective 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Haopeng Pei¹, Guangming Zhan², Yinghao Li¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Green Papermaking and Resource Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P. R. China.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|April 25, 2026

Summary

Engineered nickel on nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) enables efficient, selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in water. This breakthrough overcomes water layer inhibition, enhancing biomass valorization via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET).

Keywords:

interfacial proton‐coupled electron transfer nanoscale zero‐valent iron selective hydrogenation water inhibition reversal

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Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

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Published on: March 10, 2023

Area of Science:

Catalysis
Materials Science
Biomass Valorization

Background:

Selective aqueous hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) is crucial for converting biomass into valuable chemicals.
Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is a promising H2-free hydrogenation catalyst, but its performance is limited by a rigid interfacial water layer that hinders substrate access and selectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

To overcome the limitations of nZVI in aqueous hydrogenation by engineering its surface properties.
To develop a novel catalytic system for efficient and selective HMF hydrogenation using a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism.

Main Methods:

Atomically dispersed Ni sites were engineered onto nZVI.
The mechanism involved electron-deficient Ni (Niδ+) acting as electron pumps and facilitating proton transfer.
Niδ+ induced electronic modulation of Fe sites to create a proton shuttle.

Main Results:

The engineered Ni/nZVI catalyst achieved a significantly enhanced electron selectivity of 81.6% for BHMF production, compared to 10.6% for pristine nZVI.
High HMF conversion (>95%) and BHMF selectivity (>95%) were obtained under ambient conditions for concentrations ranging from 20-150 mM.
The catalytic system demonstrated a performance orders of magnitude better than pristine nZVI, which showed <10% conversion.

Conclusions:

Engineering interfacial PCET pathways by dispersing Ni atoms on nZVI effectively reverses solvent inhibition in aqueous hydrogenation.
This approach provides a general strategy for developing highly efficient and selective hydrogenation catalysts in aqueous media.
The study opens new avenues for sustainable biomass valorization and chemical synthesis.