170233 20260407115449.0 doi 10.1039/d5dt02759d sideral 148738 ART-2026-148738 eng Medina-Vargas, Judith Ligand decorated nickel-based nanoparticles supported onto MXenes in catalytic hydrogenation of N-heterocycles 2026 The development of efficient first-row transition metal catalysts is essential for advancing sustainable chemical processes. In this study, we report the synthesis of nickel-based nanoparticles (NiNPs) functionalized with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and immobilized onto Ti3C2 MXene. Our convergent synthetic approach enables comprehensive and straightforward characterization of each component within the final hybrid material. The NiNPs are obtained through chemical reduction of a well-defined nickel organometallic complex, resulting in the formation of small nickel metal nanoparticles (3.0 ± 0.8 nm) that are rapidly oxidized to the corresponding NiO and Ni(OH)2 based nanoparticles containing surface NHC ligands. The hybrid catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of N-heterocycles under hydrogenation conditions, achieving quantitative yields at low catalyst loadings, particularly notable for a nickel-based system. Recycling studies revealed progressive catalyst deactivation, primarily due to sintering of NiNPs, which reduces the number of active surface sites. However, the catalytic activity can be fully restored through a mild regeneration treatment under reducing conditions. These findings underscore the potential of NiNP/MXene-based materials for selective hydrogenation reactions, and highlight the importance of addressing key challenges in sustainability such as the use of non-noble metals, catalyst stability and recyclability. Further design modifications aimed at preventing nanoparticle sintering may enhance the long-term viability of these systems in catalytic hydrogenation processes. Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2021-126071OB-C21 info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2021-126071OB-C22 info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E31-23R info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/CEX2023-001286-S info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/PID2022-143164OA-I00 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Martín, Santiago Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0001-9193-3874 Sorribes, Iván García, Hermenegildo Mata, José A. 2012 755 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Química Física Área Química Física 55, 10 (2026), 4181-4195 Dalton Trans. Dalton Transactions 1477-9226 3370173 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170233/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2811433 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170233/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:170233 articulos driver 2026-03-26-14:32:14 ARTICLE