Preparation of a cost-effective Ni–Ag bimetallic catalyst for hydrodehalogenation of aryl halides under mild conditions

Abstract

Cost-effective Ni–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared using an aqueous-phase surfactant-aided co-reduction process and used as catalysts for the hydrodehalogenation of aryl halides C_Ar–X (X = F, Cl, Br). C_Ar–X could be easily converted at 60 °C by using water as a solvent, with a C_Ar–H yield higher than 90%. This catalyst was widely applicable in the hydrodehalogenation of halogenated aromatics with various functional groups (more than 40 examples), including the high concentration solution of aryl fluorides, polyhalogenated phenol, environmental pollutants like 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and triclosan. Furthermore, it could be easily recycled and reused, providing a green and cost-effective method for the degradation of polyhalogenated aromatic pollutants and synthesis of important structural units through hydrodehalogenation reactions.