Bimetallic Pd-Cu/Al2O3 Catalyst for the Green Catalytic Synthesis of 2,2′-bipyridine from Pyridine

• Published in: Journal of Wuhan University of Technology. Materials science edition Vol. 37; no. 6; pp. 1123 - 1128
• Main Authors: Wang, Lin, Zhang, Yimeng, Wang, Guangyu, Feng, Yisi, Li, Qianwen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wuhan Wuhan University of Technology 01-12-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Advanced Materials; Aluminum oxide; Bimetals; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper; Materials Science; Palladium; Pyridines; Selectivity; X-ray diffraction; atomic economy; Pd-Cu/Al; 2,2′-bipyridine; catalytic activity; O
• ISSN: 1000-2413; 1993-0437
• DOI: 10.1007/s11595-022-2642-8

Bimetallic Pd-Cu/Al
2
O
3
was prepared by wetness impregnation method and its catalytic activity on coupling reaction of pyridine to 2,2′-bipyridine was assessed in view of the effects of different molar ratios of Pd:Cu. It is found that Pd-Cu/Al
2
O
3
has the small particle size and good dispersion through the characterization. Compared with Pd/Al
2
O
3
, Pd-Cu (1:2)/Al
2
O
3
is the preferable catalyst under the optimum conditions of 1 MPa N
2
pressure, 310 °C and 16 h. The conversion of pyridine is 35.4%, and the selectivity for 2,2′-Bipyridine is up to 99%, which is much higher activity than Pd/Al
2
O
3
. The directly coupled synthesis meets the requirements of the atomic economy better. The addition of Cu also reduces the dosage of Pd and lowers the cost. It is worth noting that the recycled Pd-Cu/Al
2
O
3
catalyst still shows high activity and stability after three times.