Superparamagnetic Core-Shell-Type Fe3O4/Ru Nanoparticles as Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of an Unconstrained α,β-Unsaturated Ketone

Superparamagnetic core-shell-type Fe₃O₄/Ru nanoparticles (particle size ca. 15 nm) synthesized by co-precipitation, adsorption and reduction methods were found to selectively hydrogenate the carbon-oxygen double bond in trans-4-phenyl-3-penten-2-one (conversion 100 %, selectivity > 90 %) with a catalytic turnover of 900 under mild reaction conditions (30 °C, 15 bar H₂). The finely dispersed catalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet, recycled, and reused without significant loss of activity and selectivity.