“Core–Shell” Nanostructured Supported Size-Selective Catalysts with High Catalytic Activity

We report the synthesis of a highly active, supported nanostructured metal nanoparticle catalyst with an ultrathin porous shell and gaps between the metal nanoparticles and the shell for size-selective reactions. The size-selectivity of the catalysts could be realized through the porous shell. The gaps were able to reduce catalytic activity loss due to the contact areas between the shell and the catalytic sites. Evaluations of the activity and selectivity of the catalysts were made by catalytic hydrogenation of n-hexene versus cis-cyclooctene. Further verification of the high catalytic activity of the nanostructured catalysts was by oxidation of carbon monoxide

Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes Catalyzed by Highly Dispersed, Supported Nickel Nanoparticles

A recyclable highly dispersed Ni/SiO₂ catalyst was prepared by atomic layer deposition. Chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes was studied using the prepared Ni/SiO₂ as the catalyst and hydrazine hydrate as a hydrogen donor. Different kinds of nitroarenes were converted to the corresponding anilines with high yields. The high activity of the catalysts could be a result of the highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles