Advances in the Design of Nanostructured Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation

Abstract

Selective hydrogenations lay at the heart of many industrial processes. The archetypal catalysts for this class of reactions are generally prepared by ‘metal poisoning’ strategies: the active metal is protected and selectively deactivated with vari- ous compounds. This approach has been applied for decades, with limited understanding. Low product selectivity and pres- ence of toxic elements in the catalyst pose severe constraints in the utilization of these materials in the future. Thus, to de- velop more sustainable catalysts, this field has recently gained momentum. This Review analyzes the concepts and frontiers that have been developed in the last decade: from nanostruc- turing less conventional metals in order to improve their ability to activate H2, to the use of oxides as active phases, from alloy- ing, to the ensemble control in hybrid materials, and site isola- tion approaches in single-site heterogeneous catalysts. Particu- lar attention is given to the hydrogenation of alkynes and ni- troarenes, two reactions at the core of the chemical industry, importantly applied in the manufacture of polymers, pharma- ceuticals, nutraceuticals, and agrochemicals. The strategies here identified can be transposed to other relevant hydrogena- tions and can guide in the design of more advanced materials.