Accelerated Semihydrogenation of Alkynes over a Copper/Palladium/Titanium (IV) Oxide Photocatalyst Free from Poison and H2 Gas

Abstract Selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes (semihydrogenation) without the use of a poison and H2 is challenging because alkenes are easily hydrogenated to alkanes. In this study, a titanium (IV) oxide photocatalyst having Pd core‐Cu shell nanoparticles (Pd@Cu/TiO2) was prepared by using the two‐step photodeposition method, and Pd@Cu/TiO2 samples having various Cu contents were characterized by electron transmission microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV‐vis spectroscopy. Thus‐prepared Pd@Cu/TiO2 samples were used for photocatalytic hydrogenation of 4‐octyne in alcohol and the catalytic properties were compared with those of Pd/TiO2 and Cu/TiO2. 4‐Octyne was fully hydrogenated to octane over Pd/TiO2 at a high rate and 4‐octyne was semihydrogenated to cis‐4‐octene over Cu/TiO2 at a low rate. Rapid semihydrogenation of 4‐octyne was achieved over Pd(0.2 mol%)@Cu(1.0 mol%)/TiO2, indicating that the Pd core greatly activated the Cu shell that acted as reaction sites. A slight increase in the reaction temperature greatly increased the rate with a suppressed rate of H2 evolution as the side reaction. Changes in the reaction rates of the main and side reactions are discussed on the basis of results of kinetic studies. Reusability and expandability of Pd@Cu/TiO2 in semihydrogenation are also discussed.