Achieving “True” Selective Hydrogenation by CO Treatment of the Pt/TiO<sub>2</sub> Catalyst
Fengwei Zhang, Feng Hong, Xuetao Qin, Xiaoqiang Du, Xunzhu Jiang, Yawei Li, Hefang Guo, Peihao Liu, Wenhao Cui, Xiang‐Ting Min, Bin Zhang, Botao Qiao, Ding Ma
Abstract
Selective hydrogenation represents a fundamental chemical transformation in industrial catalysis, yet achieving high selectivity remains a formidable challenge, particularly toward the conversion of less reactive functional groups over more reactive ones. Current approaches often rely on a preferential manner, requiring precise reaction control to prevent complete substrate conversion, which limits the operational flexibility and complicates product separation. Here, we demonstrate that a Pt/TiO 2 catalyst, when subjected to a simple CO gas thermal treatment, can enable the true selective hydrogenation of the thermally less reactive −NO 2 group while preserving the more reactive −C═C bond. Mechanistic studies reveal that the treated catalyst features two distinct active sites: single-atom Pt sites that facilitate −C═C bond hydrogenation through rapid, reversible hydrogen insertion and elimination, giving rise to an apparent nonactivity, and TiO x and C-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles that provide selective permeability for the −NO 2 group. The discovery offers a robust solution to the challenges of selective hydrogenation, presenting a versatile strategy for the design and preparation of highly selective catalytic systems with significant implications for industrial applications.