Pt/Ferric Hydroxyphosphate: An Effective Catalyst for the Selective Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes (Ketones) into α,β-Unsaturated Alcohols

Four micro (nano)-sized mesoporous ferric hydroxyphosphates (FHP) are synthesized by a reverse microemulsion-solvothermal method, and then are used as supports to prepare supported Pt catalysts. The mean particle diameter of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) was 4.5–4.6 nm. When the four different Pt/FHP catalysts were used into the hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (ketones) to their corresponding unsaturated alcohols, Pt/FHP (c) catalyst showed better catalytic performance than the other three partners. Under the optimal experimental conditions, several tested α,β-unsaturated aldehydes could be effectively transformed into corresponding unsaturated alcohols over Pt/FHP (c) catalyst. The catalyst could be recycled and reused several times without activity loss. We propose the stronger interaction between the Pt NPs and ferric ions of the FHP (c) are responsible for its good catalytic performance, and this stronger interaction should be rooted in its enhanced Lewis acid strength.