Polyoxomolybdate-stabilized Ru(0) nanoparticles deposited on mesoporous silica as catalysts for aromatic hydrogenation.

We use polyoxometalates as precursors for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. In the starting molecular precursor [{Ru(C6Me6)}(2)Mo5O18{Ru(C6Me6)(H2O)}], three ruthenium arene fragments are supported on a formally lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxomolybdate. This species was introduced by incipient wetness impregnation into the porosity of a SBA-15-type mesoporous silica. The evolution of the system under reducing atmosphere is followed by several methods, such as temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), Raman, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results indicate that the polyoxometalate structure is retained after grafting on silica and allows the stabilization of Ru(0) nanoparticles after reduction. The resulting system exhibits interesting catalytic activity in benzene hydrogenation.