Clay entrapped nickel nanoparticles as efficient and recyclable catalysts for hydrogenation of olefins

Nickel nanoparticles are prepared in the interlamellar spaces of K10-Montmorillonite clay by chemical reduction at moderate temperatures. These clay entrapped nickel nanoparticles are characterized by UV–vis, powder XRD, EDX and HRTEM studies. The resultant ecofriendly supramolecular assembly with nickel content (2.84 wt %) has good catalytic efficiency in hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes with hydrazine as a reducing agent in ethanol medium. Advantages of the present study include absence of an external hydrogen source, catalyst reusability and a green medium.