Hydrogenation of (—)‐α‐pinene over nickel—phosphorus/aluminum oxide catalysts prepared by electroless deposition

Liquid‐phase hydrogenation of (—)‐α‐pinene was investigated using a new type of amorphous nickel‐phosphorus catalyst supported on aluminum oxide. The catalyst was prepared by the electroless deposition of nickel on the solid support at atmospheric pressure and moderate temperature from an aqueous solution. Two types of supports, aluminum oxide powder and pellet, were used. Electron probe micro‐analysis (EPMA) indicated that the nickel profile on the aluminum oxide powder was uniform throughout the whole particle of the powdery support; however, the nickel deposition on the catalyst supported by pellet aluminum oxide exhibited an eggshell‐type profile with a thickness about 8 μm. The amorphous structure of the nickel was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The procedure by which the catalysts were prepared involved four steps: etching, sensitization, activation and deposition. The conditions employed for the sensitization, activation and deposition steps significantly affected the composition, structure, metal profile and activities of the catalysts. Etching, however, had a negligible effect on the properties of the catalysts. Very high selectivity was found for hydrogenation of (—)‐α‐pinene to cis ‐pinane.