# Development of Palladium and Magnetite-Coated Diatomite as a Magnetizable Catalyst for Hydrogenation of Benzophenone

## TL;DR

Researchers created a magnetic catalyst using diatomite and palladium to efficiently hydrogenate benzophenone with high selectivity and easy recovery.

## Contribution

A magnetizable diatomite-based catalyst enables selective hydrogenation and easy recovery using a magnet.

## Key findings

- The catalyst showed high activity in hydrogenating benzophenone in methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol.
- Solvent choice allowed selective production of either benzhydrol or diphenylmethane.
- The catalyst could be easily recovered using a simple magnet.

## Abstract

A naturally derived silicate, diatomaceous earth has been endowed with magnetic properties by depositing magnetite nanoparticles on its surface. Palladium crystallites were created on the resulting magnetizable catalyst support. The support provided high specific surface area with high porosity which were ideal for the binding of both the magnetic particles and the palladium. The catalyst was successfully tested in the hydrogenation of benzophenone in three different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol). Significant differences in catalytic activity were observed, allowing selective production of benzhydrol (BH) or diphenylmethane (DPM) by a simple solvent change. Beside the excellent selectivity, the featured catalyst also provided an easy and fast method for catalyst recoverability using a simple magnet.