Fullerene derivative supported Ni for hydrogenation of nitrobenzene: Effect of functional group of fullerene derivative

Fullerene (C-60) derivative supported Ni were prepared, and employed to catalyze the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene. The ICP-AES and XPS suggested that the functional groups of C-60 derivatives were in favor of anchoring Ni species and affected the electron density of metallic Ni. It was illustrated that the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with C-60-based catalysts proceeded via direct route. Ni-N-C-60 prepared from C-60-ethanediamine derivative exhibited excellent catalytic performance, which was ascribed to better dispersion of Ni species and high surface content of electron rich metallic Ni. Under 80 degrees C and 1.0 MPa of H-2, the nitrobenzene conversion of 99.5% and the aniline selectivity of above 99.9% were obtained within 20 min with TOF of 0.46 s(-1). Furthermore, Ni-N-C-60 exhibited outstanding reusability even at high temperature, due to the dispersing effect and the stabilization effect of C-60-ethanediamine which was not only a support but also a ligand on Ni species.