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

Abstract

Abstract 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: Mg 6 Al 2 CO 3 (OH) 16 ⋅ 4(H 2 O))‐supported nickel phosphide nanoparticle catalyst (nano‐Ni 2 P/HT). The HT support drastically increased the catalytic activity of the nano‐Ni 2 P, 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‐Ni 2 P/HT catalyst also exhibited the highest activity among previously reported non‐noble metal catalysts, with a turnover number of 960. Moreover, the nano‐Ni 2 P/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.