Pd nanoparticles supported on ZIF-8 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

Palladium nanoparticles supported on ZIF-8 (Pd/ZIF-8) were prepared by a facile impregnation method and characterized by XRD, TEM, ICP and N2 adsorption. The prepared Pd/ZIF-8 catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The reaction solvents had great influences on the catalytic performance of the prepared Pd/ZIF-8 catalyst. Pd nanoparticles supported on ZIF-8 gave much higher catalytic activity and hydrocinnamaldehyde selectivity than those supported on other MOFs or the conventional inorganic supports. The prepared Pd/ZIF-8 catalyst could be reused at least four times without significant loss in activity and selectivity.