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7625212 
Journal Article 
On the catalytic hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into less toxic compounds by a facile recoverable catalyst 
Jacinto, MJ; Santos, OHCF; Landers, R; Kiyohara, GPK; Rossi, LM; , 
2009 
Yes 
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
ISSN: 0926-3373 
ELSEVIER 
AMSTERDAM 
688-692 
WOS:000268042800044 
Here we present the catalytic hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to less toxic mixtures of saturated and partial unsaturated polycyclic hydrocarbons under mild reaction conditions using a magnetically recoverable rhodium catalyst and molecular hydrogen as the exclusive H source. The catalyst is easily recovered after each reaction by placing a permanent magnet on the reactor wall and it can be reused in successive runs without any significant loss of catalytic activity. As an example, anthracene was totally converted into the saturated polycyclic hydrocarbon form (ca. 60%) and the partially hydrogenated form, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroanthracene (ca. 40%). The catalyst operates in a broad range of temperature and H-2 pressure in both organic and aqueous/organic solutions of anthracene and it also exhibits significant activity at low substrate concentrations (20 ppm). This can be an efficient recycling process for hydrogenation of PAHs present in contaminated fluid waste streams. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.