Complete hydrogenation of quinoline over hydroxyapatite supported ruthenium catalyst

Hydroxyapatite [HAP: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] and Ru(3 wt.%)/HAP were prepared by the precipitation method and impregnation method, respectively. Their composition and structure were characterized by XRD, XPS, ICP and TEM. The catalytic behavior of Ru(3 wt.%)/HAP for the hydrogenation of quinoline indicated that the catalyst with Ca/P = 1.38 was of the best catalytic activity. Under the optimum condition of reaction temperature of 150 °C and hydrogen pressure of 4 MPa, the yield of DHQ (decahydroquinoline) was up to 100% in 3 h. The high performance of this catalyst is attributed to the cooperation between the hydroxyl groups on support surface and active metal centers.