Silicon-Enriched Nickel Nanoparticles for Hydrogenation of N-Heterocycles in Aqueous Media

Herein, we report a heterogeneous intermetallic nickel silicide catalyst prepared by the impregnation of nickel acetate/1,10-phenanthroline on fumed silica and subsequent pyrolysis. The optimal catalyst exhibits good activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of N-heterocycles including pyridines and quinolines under comparably mild conditions using water as the solvent. To our knowledge, it is the first reported efficient nickel-based heterogeneous catalyst for catalytic pyridine hydrogenation.