Hydrogenation of alkenes over nickel nanoparticles under atmospheric pressure of hydrogen

Abstract

Nickel nanoparticles have been shown to be an accessible catalyst which allows hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds to be accomplished under atmospheric pressure of hydrogen at relatively low temperatures. Linear and cyclic alkenes, styrene and norbornene derivatives, as well as pinenes and camphene have been smoothly hydrogenated under these conditions. In some cases, selective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbon–carbon bond is possible with the other functional group remaining intact.