Preparation of Pt-Pd supported catalysts and investigation of its performance in one stage hydrogenation of nitrobenzene

Para aminophenol is one of the most important intermediates in chemical industries and pharmaceuticals. The present study describes the preparation of para aminophenol with single-step catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in acidic medium using platinum, palladium and bimetallic supported carbon active catalysts. Synthesized catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, temperature programmed desorption of adsorbed NH3, and inductively coupled plasma. At 4.65% loading of platinum on carbon, the nitrobenzene conversion and selectivity to para aminophenol were favored under 80 degrees C and 1 bar H-2 pressure. The quantitative analysis of samples was carried out using gas chromatography method followed by Mass and NMR spectroscopy in order to characterize the intermediates and products.