Selective hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene over tin dioxide supported platinum–ruthenium bimetallic nanocatalysts without solvent

Colloidal platinum–ruthenium bimetallic nanoparticles with 2.3   nm were synthesized in solution and then immobilized on tin dioxide powder to make a supported nanocatalyst (Pt–Ru/SnO 2 ). The immobilized bimetallic nanoparticles had the same size and size distribution as the solution dispersed ones. Selective hydrogenation of o -chloronitrobenzene to o -chloroaniline was performed over the as-prepared Pt–Ru/SnO 2 nanocatalyst without using any solvent; 99.5% selectivity to o -chloroaniline at ∼100% conversion was achieved.