HYDROGENATION OF NITROBENZENE USING POLYMER ANCHORED PD(II) COMPLEXESAS CATALYST

Polymer anchored metal complex catalysts of Pd(II) were synthesized us ing styrene divinyl benzene (PS-DVB) co-polymer of two different cross linking (2% and 8%) by sequential attachment of chloromethyl group, bi dentate ligand and treating the functionalized polymer with the metal chloride solution. The supports and the catalysts were characterized u sing conventional techniques as well as the spectroscopic methods such as UV-Vis reflectance, IR and DTA-TG analysis. Other physico chemical properties such as bulk density, moisture content, surface area by BE T method and swelling of the catalysts in different solvents have also been studied. The morphology of the catalysts was seen using scanning electron microscope. A probable structure of the catalyst formed on p olymer matrix was proposed on the basis of the above studies. The synt hesized catalysts were tested for their catalytic activity for the hyd rogenation of nitrobenzene as a model reaction. The influence on the r ate of various factors such as the amount of catalysts, concentration of the substrate and temperature of the system has been studied. The r ecycling efficiency of catalysts has also been studied. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science B.V.