This study presents a sustainable method of producing 1-indanol at room temperature via the selective reduction of the C = O bond in 1-indanone using Pt/SBA-15 catalysts and green hydrogen. Using n-decane as a carrier liquid, the process efficiently converts the substance under ambient conditions. Kinetic analysis reveals that adsorption is the rate-determining step, which supports environmentally friendly biometabolic production.

Abstract

Aromatic alcohols are interesting compounds for the fine chemical industry. The selective C═O reduction of unsaturated carbonyl compounds like 1-indanone by green hydrogen and metal catalysts is a promising strategy for the sustainable production of biologically active materials like 1-indanol. The deposition of Pt nanoparticles on SBA-15 shows a superior catalytic activity compared to a commercial-grade Pt/SiO₂ catalyst, providing 1-indanol yields up to 71% at 90 °C and 10 bar hydrogen pressure. Moreover, aliphatic alkenes with a relatively high hydrogen solvent ability and a low dynamic viscosity like n-decane were found to be suitable carrier liquids for selective 1-indanol production near room temperature. Kinetic investigations showed a linear behavior with respect to the reaction order of 1-indanone (n = 1) and an effective reaction order of 0.5 for H₂ revealing adsorption of the latter as the rate-determining step of the overall reaction. However, the catalyst activity decreased over 5 consecutive runs due to Pt nanoparticle agglomeration on the ends of the SBA-15 channels.