Defect engineering and Ni promoter synergistically accelerating electron transfer to Ru⁰ sites in UiO-66(Ce) for dicyclopentadiene hydrogenation under mild condition

Olefin hydrogenation under mild condition is crucial and challenging for industrial applications. Herein, defective UiO-66(Ce) was constructed by using cyanuric acid as the molecular etching “scissors” and further to synthesize heterogeneous catalyst with highly dispersed RuNi nanoparticles (Ru₁Ni_1.5@UiO-66(Ce)-12 h). The construction of Ce-O-Ru/Ni heterogeneous interfaces and Ni–Ru bonds provide electron transfer channels from Ce-oxo clusters and Ni species to Ru species. Furthermore, the microenvironment and electronic structure of Ru⁰ active sites were synergistically regulated by adjusting the content of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) defects and Ni promoter, thereby enhancing the adsorption and activation ability of H–H and C=C bonds. Therefore, Ru₁Ni_1.5@UiO-66(Ce)-12 h achieved dicyclopentadiene saturated hydrogenation (100% conversion) to tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (~ 100% selectivity) under mild condition (35 °C, 1 MPa) with only 25 min. Meanwhile, the sample exhibited excellent structural stability after 6 cycles test. This study provides a promising strategy for the rational design of remarkable noble metal-based catalysts for practical applications.