Novel, Spongelike Ruthenium Particles of Controllable Size Stabilized Only by Organic Solvents
Résumé
Soluble ruthenium nanoparticles of uniform size (see picture) with a porous spongelike structure were obtained by the reaction of [Ru(C8H10)(C8H12)] with H2 in methanol or THF/methanol. The particle size can be controlled in the range 15–100 nm by varying the MeOH/THF ratio. The particles catalyze benzene hydrogenation without modification of their size or structure. Their formation is proposed to occur in the droplets of a nanosized emulsion, which act as nanoreactors.