Pd-Co Bimetallic Nanoparticles Immobilized on Mesoporous Niobium Silica for Selective Hydrogenation of 3-Nitrostyrene

Designing efficient catalysts for the preferential hydrogenation of vinyl groups is a pivotal challenge in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, fine chemicals, dyes, and other valuable compounds. Herein, we developed evenly dispersed bimetallic Pd-Co nanoparticles on mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) for selective hydrogenation of a model compound 3-nitrostyrene. By tuning the Pd/Co molar ratio and solvents, the efficiency of 3-nitrostyrene hydrogenation to 3-ethylnitrobenzene with the Pd1-Co1/MSN-Nb catalyst was well optimized; while 3-nitrostyrene was converted entirely, the selectivity of 3-ethylnitrobenzene was up to 95%. Moreover, this catalyst was stable and compatible with styrene and its derivatives. Further characterization results indicated that the combined effect of Pd-based metal nanoparticles and MSN-Nb and the electronic interaction between Pd and Co components in the Pd1-Co1/MSN-Nb catalyst have significant importance in the hydrogenation of 3-nitrostyrene. The aforementioned catalytic system will prove invaluable in guiding the selective hydrogenation of vinyl groups.