Influence of iron content in palladium catalysts supported on alumina and their reduction conditions on the hydrodechlorination of diclofenac in aqueous solutions

Using the method of wet impregnation of alumina with iron and palladium nitrates, 1Pd0.5Fe and 1Pd10Fe catalysts modified with iron oxides were prepared with a target content of 1 wt % Pd, 0.5 or 10 wt % iron. The catalysts were compared with each other and with the monometallic catalyst 1Pd in the hydrodechlorination (HDC) of diclofenac (DCF) in dilute aqueous solutions at 30°C in batch and flow reactors after high-temperature (320°C) and mild (30°C) reduction; the latter was carried out in a batch or flow reactor. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), it was shown that after reduction at 320°C the surface of catalysts contains mainly Pd⁰, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. The surface Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio increases as the iron content decreases. The reduction of Pd²⁺ to Pd⁰ is possible already at 30°C, but it proceeds much worse on the surface of 1Pd0.5Fe compared to 1Pd10Fe. According to XPS data, temperature-programmed reduction and infrared spectroscopy of diffuse reflection of adsorbed CO, modification with iron oxides increases the palladium content on the surface compared to 1Pd, promotes the emergence of new Pd–O–Fe centers, and affects the ability of palladium to be reduced. These effects increase with increasing iron content. Iron-modified catalysts reduced at 320°C showed similar activity and stability in the conversion of DCP in flow-through and batch systems. Unlike 1Pd0.5Fe, the 1Pd10Fe catalyst is highly efficient and stable even after mild reduction at 30°C. Under flow conditions with comparable DCF conversion, it provides increased selectivity in the HDC reaction of diclofenac compared to 1Pd, which is also active in hydrogenation.