Glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol over a skeletal Ni-P amorphous alloy catalyst (Raney Ni-P)

A skeletal Ni-P amorphous alloy catalyst (Raney Ni-P) was prepared by alkal i leaching of a Ni-AI-P amorphous precursor obtained by the rapid quenching technique of a melting solution containing Ni, Al, and P. This catalyst sh owed higher turnover rates (per surface Ni atom) than Raney Ni for the hydr ogenation of glucose to sorbitol, apparently as a result of promotion of Ni -active sites by phosphorus. The Raney Ni-P catalysts gave turnover rates s imilar to those measured on Ni-P amorphous alloys without Al, but they had a significantly higher density of Ni surface atoms. As a result, Raney Ni-P catalysts showed superior specific hydrogenation rates (per gram catalyst) than either Raney Ni or Ni-P amorphous alloys. (C) 2000 Academic Press.