Rh-based catalysts for catalytic dechlorination of aromatic chloride at ambient temperature

Catalytic dechlorination of chlorotoluene to toluene was carried out using several supported Rh-based catalysts in a 2-propanol solution of NaOH at ambient temperature (27 degrees C). A carbon-supported Rh catalyst (Rh/C) showed high catalytic activity, although an induction period was involved in the reaction and the activity of the catalyst reduced during storage in air. The existence of Pt on the Rh catalyst was effective in overcoming the activity reduction by exposure to air and gave the reaction without any induction period. The composite Rh-Pt catalyst supported on TiO2 as well as on carbon was much more active for the reaction than the catalysts supported on SiO2, MgO and Al2O3. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.