Cyclodextrin-assisted catalytic hydrogenation of hydrophobic substrates with halloysite immobilized ruthenium NPs dispersed in aqueous phase

Halloysite nanotube supported ruthenium catalyst was prepared by an easy and reproducible in situ bottom up approach. Ruthenium (III) chloride reduced sodium borohydride the presence of halloysite nanotubes dispersed water. Several analyses confirm immobilization particles onto aluminosilicate support. The synthesized then tested hydrogenation 1-hexadecene, a highly hydrophobic compound, aqueous medium using cyclodextrins as mass transfer additives. catalytic activity deeply depended on nature cyclodextrin. Best results were obtained with randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin. system also evaluated biosourced long chain alkenes such fatty acid methyl esters vegetable oils showed high activities mild reaction conditions.