Selective hydrogenation of double and triple bonds is a key process in the chemical, polymer, and specialty materials industries. Copper–chromium catalysts with suitable promoters are traditionally used for selective hydrogenation; however, their application can be limited due to regulatory restrictions associated with Cr(VI). In such cases, chromium-free alternatives and nickel-based catalysts provide an efficient and flexible solution. Nickel catalysts from the NiSat series enable the complete hydrogenation of alkyne and alkene bonds to the corresponding alkanes with high reliability.
Nickel-based hydrogenation using NiSat 720 RS includes applications such as the hydrogenation of squalene (C₃₀H₅₀) to squalane (C₃₀H₆₂). While olive-derived squalene is commonly processed, phytosqualene is increasingly gaining importance as a sustainable feedstock. For this reaction, NiSat 720 RS offers well-defined activity and selectivity, ensuring controlled saturation and consistent product quality.
NiSat 720 RS has also been successfully applied to the hydrogenation of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL). In this process, the C=C double bonds of phenolic components, primarily cardanol, are selectively saturated. The resulting hydro-cardanol exhibits improved stability, modified reactivity, and enhanced performance characteristics. Hydrogenated CNSL is particularly suitable for high-quality polymers, epoxy resins, durable coatings, and friction materials.
Typical application: Fine chemical hydrogenation of, for example, limonene in pharmaceuticals, food products, and fragrances. The catalysts are 2–4 mm spheres in bulk form. The
NiSAT 720 RS is a nickel catalyst in powder form, used for the hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds (e.g. unsaturated fatty acids), aromatics (e.g. benzene,
NiSAT 310 RS is a nickel-based hydrogenation catalyst in the form of extrudates and is used, for example, in the gas-phase hydrogenation of benzene to
