Different functionalized carbon materials were used as supports to prepare Pd/carbon catalysts (Pd/AC, Pd/AC-O, Pd/AC-Cl and Pd/AC-N). The results of various characterization techniques revealed that a substantial increase in the surface functional groups of the supports could influence the size of the Pd nanoparticles and the chemical states of the Pd species due to Pd-support interactions. During the hydrogenation reaction to synthesize dibenzylbiotinmethylester, the Pd/AC-N catalyst, based on a support that was treated with nitric acid (AC-N), provided a higher yield of dibenzylbiotinmethylester than the other catalysts. The increase in surface oxygen groups (mainly CO2-releasing groups) in the AC-N support was relevant to achieving selective hydrogenation. These groups can provide an efficient pathway for the reaction, which may be responsible for the high yield of dibenzylbiotinmethylester.
Keywords: Activated carbon; Functionalization; Hydrogenation; Pd catalysts.
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