Abstract:

Au/γ-Fe2O3, Au/α-Fe2O3 and Au/Fe3O4 catalysts were prepared via depositionprecipitation methods and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The catalytic performance of these catalysts was studied and compared for the hydrogenation of 3-nitrostyrene. In addition, the influences of temperature, support as well as the reaction medium were discussed. The results showed that the conversion of 3-nitrostyrene in H2O is much higher than that in ethanol and solvent-free system， and it increased with increasing of temperature, however, the selectivity to 3-aminostyrene did not change. The catalytic activity of Au/FeOx catalysts was in an order of Au/γ-Fe2O3＞Au/α-Fe2O3＞Au/Fe3O4. The different reducibility of the iron oxide supports may be the main reason for such a catalytic activity.

Key words: Gold catalyst, Nitrostyrene, hydrogenation, Iron oxide, water