Catalytic Activity of Cu and Cu–Fe Hydrosilicates in Hydrogenation with Molecular Hydrogen

Deposited copper hydrosilicates are synthesized using KSKG industrial silica gel. The hydrosilicates are modified with Fe²⁺ ions. Their catalytic activity and high selectivity in the hydrogenation of dinitrobenzene is shown to yield nitroaniline and phenylenediamine under mild conditions at 170°C and a hydrogen pressure of 1.3 MPa. As an example, C–C triple bond in phenylacetylene is hydrogenated for the first time on such materials using molecular hydrogen under relatively mild conditions.