A closer look into transfer hydrogenation between perhydro-dibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) and acetone for safe hydrogen release using Pt-based catalysts.

Hydrogen technologies are pivotal for energy transition and dibenzyltoluene (H0-DBT)/perhydro-dibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) is a promising Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) system for dihydrogen storage and transportation. Currently, industrial LOHC applications are limited as dehydrogenation is endothermic, requiring high temperatures (250-350 °C), thus decreasing process efficiency. This can be mitigated by performing transfer hydrogenation between H18-DBT and acetone at mild temperatures, forming isopropanol for direct fuel cell concepts. In this article, we reinvestigated this reaction with an in-depth study of the reaction products in both gas and liquid phases, and we evaluated the effect of Pt nanoparticle size, support nature and metal loadings. Finally, the effect of water addition was assessed as a means to prevent aldol condensation side-reactions. A high productivity (TOF) of 485 mol h-1 molactivePt -1 and an optimal isopropanol selectivity of 88% were finally obtained with a water:acetone molar ratio of 11.4 mol%.