Microwave-initiated Quick Synthesis of Magnetically-separable Ru/Ni@N-CNT Catalysts for Regioselective Hydrogenation of Quinoline

Herein a simple and quick microwave-initiated strategy was explored to synthesize highly dispersed Ru catalysts supported on N-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating Ni nanoparticles (Ni@N-CNT) within only 60 s of irradiation in a household microwave oven. The special Ni@N-CNT heterostructure possessed strong microwave absorption capability, magnetic recyclability and abundant anchoring N-sites for immobilizing ultra-small Ru nanoparticles (1.8 nm), conducive to fabricating high-performance supported catalysts. The Ru/Ni@N-CNT catalysts demonstrated outstanding regioselectivity for quinoline hydrogenation into 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline with more than 99% yield. A simple and quick microwave-initiated strategy was explored to synthesize highly dispersed Ru catalysts supported on N-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating Ni nanoparticles within only 60 s of irradiation in a household microwave oven. The special Ni@N-CNT heterostructure possessed strong microwave absorption capability, magnetic recyclability and abundant anchoring N-sites for immobilizing ultra-small Ru nanoparticles (1.8 nm), conducive to fabricating high-performance supported catalysts.