Selective hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene over an Fe promoted Pt/AC catalyst

Abstract

Activated carbon supported Pt (Pt/AC) and Fe modified Pt (Pt–Fe/AC) catalysts have been investigated for selective hydrogenation of p-chloronitrobenzene to p-chloroaniline. It was found that the incorporation of an appropriate amount of Fe (4 wt%) resulted in a remarkable increase in activity and selectivity to p-chloroaniline, and the catalytic hydrodechlorination over the catalyst was fully suppressed at complete conversion of p-chloronitrobenzene. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the electron transfer from Pt nanoparticles to Fe₂O₃, leading to the electron-deficient state of the Pt nanoparticles in the present catalyst, which is responsible for improved performance of the Pt–Fe/AC catalyst for p-chloronitrobenzene hydrogenation to p-chloroaniline.