Nanostructured Ni-MoCx: An efficient non-noble metal catalyst for the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroaromatics

Abstract Catalysts for chemoselective hydrogenation are of vital importance the synthesis various important chemicals and intermediates. Herein we developed a simple method preparing highly efficient Ni-MoC x nanocomposite catalyst via temperature-programmed carburization polyoxometalate precursor. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), absorption (XAS) analyses indicate that resulting mesoporous is made up well-dispersed metallic nickel particles embedded in MoC matrix. This exhibits high activity selectivity (> 99%) substituted nitroaromatics to corresponding anilines. The efficiency attributed intimate contact constituents favoring transfer hydrogen adsorption. Dihydrogen physisorbed on carbide support dissociates particles, as evidenced by Mo K-edge near-edge structure (XANES) spectra, density functional theory (DFT), hydrogen—deuterium exchange. remarkable catalytic performance could be traced back synergistic interaction between Ni support. In-situ infrared DFT simulations indicated adsorption/activation nitro group favored compared other substituents at aromatic ring. In recyclability tests, showed no significant loss seven consecutive runs, indicating its robust nature.