Application of silica-supported Fe–Cu nanoparticles in the selective hydrogenation of p-dinitrobenzene to p-phenylenediamine

Supported bimetallic Fe–Cu/SiO2 materials are synthesized, and their catalytic activity in hydrogenation of dinitrobenzene to phenylenediamine at 145–180°С and 1.3 MPa hydrogen pressure is studied for the first time. The best results (89% selectivity toward p-phenylenediamine at complete conversion of p-dinitrobenzene) are obtained for the sample synthesized via co-deposition with subsequent calcination at 300°С. The sample contains 7% iron and 3% copper. The formation of separate phases of metal oxides (for the catalysts prepared by impregnation) and mixed bimetallic oxide phases (in case of co-deposition procedure) in calcined samples is revealed via thermoprogrammed reduction with hydrogen.