A new alumina-supported, not pyrophoric Raney-type Ni-catalyst Original Research Article

Starting with a 50–50 wt.% Al–Ni alloy powder a new process was developed by which an active alumina supported, not pyrophoric Raney-type Ni catalyst is produced. It consists of very finely dispersed nickel of 25–30 wt.% (specific weight of about 1.2). The Ni is not ferromagnetic. The catalyst is applied in all liquid phase hydrogenations where standard Raney-Ni is used, with the same or higher specific activity. The structure of the catalyst is described using XRD, SAXS, TEM SEM/EDX, and N2-sorption. The catalytic activity measurements were performed in liquid phase hydrogenations at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.