Developing
non-noble metal-based catalysts with excellent performance
for selective hydrogenation of alkynes under mild reaction conditions
is highly desirable but still faces challenges. Herein, a non-noble
nickel-modified covalent organic framework (Ni/COF) had been synthesized
through a facile post-modified method and followed by reduction at
a different temperature under a H2/Ar atmosphere. The as-prepared
catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution
transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and Fourier transforms infrared,
and the optimal H350–Ni/COF presents excellent catalytic
performance in the semihydrogenation of a series of aromatic terminal
alkyne substrates, particularly in the partial hydrogenation of phenylacetylene
with nearly full conversion and 85% selectivity toward styrene under
mild reaction conditions (10 bar of H2, 100 °C, and
1 h). Moreover, such a catalyst also exhibited satisfying stability
after three consecutive cycles.