Biomolecule-derived supported cobalt nanoparticles for hydrogenation of industrial olefins, natural oils and more in water

Abstract

Catalytic hydrogenation of olefins using noble metal catalysts or pyrophoric RANEY® nickel is of high importance in the chemical industry. From the point of view of green and sustainable chemistry, design and development of Earth-abundant, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly catalysts are highly desirable. Herein, we report the convenient preparation of active cobalt catalysts and their application in hydrogenations of a wide range of terminal and internal carbon–carbon double bonds in water under mild conditions. Catalysts are prepared on multi-gram scale by pyrolysis of cobalt acetate and uracil, guanine, adenine or L-tryptophan. The most active material Co-Ura/C-600 showed good productivity in industrially relevant hydrogenation of diisobutene to isooctane and in natural oil hardening.