Intermetallic Catalysts in Selective Hydrogenation Processes

Intermetallic catalysts comprise well‐defined, stoichiometric alloys of two or more metals arranged in ordered crystal structures. Their unique atomic ordering and electronic interactions allow precise tuning of adsorption energies and active site geometries, delivering both high activity and enhanced selectivity in hydrogenation reactions. Compared with random alloys or monometallic systems, intermetallic phases exhibit narrow electronic bands, isolated active centres and defined surface sites that suppress over‐hydrogenation and undesired side reactions. These properties have been exploited in the selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes, alkadienes to monoenes and other transformations of industrial and fine‐chemical relevance. Advances in synthesis—ranging from ionic‐liquid-mediated nanoparticle formation to metallurgical routes for ternary phases—have enabled the production of supported intermetallic nanoparticles with controlled size, composition and surface structure. Such developments promise more sustainable processes by reducing the need for noble metals, improving catalyst lifetime and lowering energy consumption. Global interest spans petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and renewable feedstocks, emphasising the versatile role of intermetallic catalysts in emerging hydrogen-based technologies.

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Intermetallic Catalysts in Selective Hydrogenation Processes publication trend

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Technical terms

Intermetallic compound: A crystalline material with a fixed, ordered ratio of two or more metals, exhibiting distinct electronic and structural properties from random alloys.

Chemoselectivity: The ability of a catalyst to preferentially hydrogenate one functional group over others in the same molecule.

Heusler alloy: A class of ternary intermetallics with formula X2YZ that form ordered cubic structures and can be tuned by elemental substitution.

Single-atom site: An isolated active metal atom embedded in a host matrix, offering maximal dispersion and unique electronic interactions for catalytic reactions.

References

1. Intermetallic compounds in catalysis – a versatile class of materials meets interesting challenges. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (2020).
2. Pd–In intermetallic nanoparticles with high catalytic selectivity for liquid-phase semi-hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene. Nanoscale (2022).
3. Selective Hydrogenation Properties of Ni-Based Bimetallic Catalysts. Eng (2022).
4. Synthesis of Co 2 FeGe Heusler alloy nanoparticles and catalysis for selective hydrogenation of propyne. RSC Advances (2021).
5. Screening of Ternary Intermetallic Catalysts Is Possible Using Metallurgical Synthesis: Demonstration on Heusler Alloys. KONA Powder and Particle Journal (2021).