Water-mediated interfacial modulation for enhanced selectivity in nitroarene hydrogenation over Pt/Fe2O3 catalysts
Anqi Li1,2, Lin Li1, Xiaoli Pan1
1State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Dalian 116023 China yangxf2003@dicp.ac.cn aqwang@dicp.ac.cn taozhang@dicp.ac.cn.
Chemical Science
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Water enhances selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes to aromatic amines. This study reveals water
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes is crucial for synthesizing aromatic amines.
- The role of water in these reactions is often overlooked.
- Developing efficient catalysts for fine chemical synthesis remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific effect of water on nitroarene hydrogenation using a model catalyst.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which water influences selectivity.
- To provide insights for optimizing solvent effects in catalytic reactions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a well-defined Pt nanoparticles/Fe2O3 nanoplates (PtNP/Fe2O3-sheet) model catalyst.
- Nitroarene hydrogenation experiments with varying water content.
- Kinetic studies, in situ infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Main Results:
- Water significantly enhances selectivity for 3-aminostyrene, reaching over 98% at 10 vol% water.
- Water competitively dissociates at Pt interfacial sites, suppressing alkene adsorption and H2 dissociation.
- This interfacial blocking effect promotes preferential nitro-group hydrogenation.
Conclusions:
- Water plays a critical role in modulating catalytic performance for nitroarene hydrogenation.
- Interfacial blocking by water offers a strategy for optimizing solvent effects.
- Atomic-level insights into water's function can guide catalyst and process design.
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