Tailoring Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde with MoOx-Functionalized Ni Nanocrystals

Abstract

Selective hydrogenation of the C=C and C=O bonds in cinnamaldehyde is highly challenging and extremely important in both industrial production and fundamental research. This study demonstrates a versatile and easy scale-up method to modulate the electronic properties of the active Ni sites via tuning metal-support interaction. The adding of MoOx species onto the ZrO2 support could improve the dispersion of Ni particles by forming Ni-O and Ni-Mo bond. The electron donation from Ni to Mo results in the formation of electron-deficient Ni active centers, which significantly enhances the hydrogenation activity (~ 5-fold) toward C=C bonds while maintaining low reactivity toward C=O bonds. This investigation demonstrates a facile approach for the rational design and modulation of the supported active sites.

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