Icosahedra CoPd Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Magnetically Induced Aromatic Ketone Hydrodeoxygenation

The development of bimetallic nanomaterials with precisely controlled size, shape, and composition has emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable catalysis, offering innovative solutions for chemical valorization processes. In this work, CoPd bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared via an organometallic approach using Co[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(thf) and Pd(acac)₂ (acac: acetylacetonate) as metal sources. Advanced structural characterization techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and wide-angle X-ray scattering, revealed an icosahedral Pd-rich core with a less crystalline Co-rich shell. Thanks to a large magnetic anisotropy, these 10 nm particles are ferromagnetic at room temperature and thus can be used as efficient heating agents under an alternative magnetic field. This nanomaterial was successfully tested as a catalyst in hydrodeoxygenation reactions using induction heating for energy-efficient activation. The CoPd catalyst demonstrates the synergistic potential of the non-noble/noble metal combination, achieving challenging chemical transformations at relatively low temperatures while keeping an optimal balance between their heating capability and surface-to-volume ratio. This study underscores the potential of CoPd systems for advancing sustainable catalysis through magnetically induced reactions.