biostudies-literatureRyabchuk PEuropean Research Councileaat0761https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5993471biostudies-literatureUnknown4(6)Hydrogenation reactions are essential processes in the chemical industry, giving access to a variety of valuable compounds including fine chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmachemicals. On an industrial scale, hydrogenations are typically performed with precious metal catalysts or with base metal catalysts, such as Raney nickel, which requires special handling due to its pyrophoric nature. We report a stable and highly active intermetallic nickel silicide catalyst that can be used for hydrogenations of a wide range of unsaturated compounds. The catalyst is prepared via a straightforward procedure using SiO₂ as the silicon atom source. The process involves thermal reduction of Si-O bonds in the presence of Ni nanoparticles at temperatures below 1000°C. The presence of silicon as aScience advancesIntermetallic nickel silicide nanocatalyst-A non-noble metal-based general hydrogenation catalyst.PMC5993471NoNaCatRyabchuk PAgapova ABeller MLund HPohl MMAgostini GJunge HJunge KfalseIntermetallic nickel silicide nanocatalyst-A non-noble metal-based general hydrogenation catalyst.Hydrogenation reactions are essential processes in the chemical industry, giving access to a variety of valuable compounds including fine chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmachemicals. On an industrial scale, hydrogenations are typically performed with precious metal catalysts or with base metal catalysts, such as Raney nickel, which requires special handling due to its pyrophoric nature. We report a stable and highly active intermetallic nickel silicide catalyst that can be used for hydrogenations of a wide range of unsaturated compounds. The catalyst is prepared via a straightforward procedure using SiO₂ as the silicon atom source. The process involves thermal reduction of Si-O bonds in the presence of Ni nanoparticles at temperatures below 1000°C. The presence of silicon as a2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jun2025-04-25T21:16:10.209Z2019-03-26T23:41:21ZS-EPMC59934712988832910.1126/sciadv.aat0761