Efficient D-Xylose Hydrogenation to D-Xylitol over a Hydrotalcite-Supported Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticle Catalyst

The hydrogenation of D-xylose is an industrially reliable method for preparing D-xylitol, which is a commonly consumed chemical. Herein, we report the highly efficient and selective hydrogenation of D-xylose to D-xylitol in water over a hydrotalcite (HT: Mg6Al2CO3(OH)(16) . 4(H2O))-supported nickel phosphide nanoparticle catalyst (nano-Ni2P/HT). The HT support drastically increased the catalytic activity of the nano-Ni2P, enabling D-xylitol synthesis under mild reaction conditions. Notably, the selective hydrogenation of D-xylose to D-xylitol proceeded even under 1 bar of H-2 or at room temperature for the first time. The nano-Ni2P/HT catalyst also exhibited the highest activity among previously reported non-noble metal catalysts, with a turnover number of 960. Moreover, the nano-Ni2P/HT catalyst was reusable and applicable to a concentrated D-xylose solution (50 wt %), demonstrating its high potential for the industrial production of D-xylitol.