Abstract: | The preparation of a new nickel(0)/Al2O3 catalyst for hydrogenation reactions is described. The nickel(0)/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by impregnation of alumina with a solution of a nickel(II) salt. After drying, the nickel(II) salt was reduced under mild conditions into nickel(0) using t‐BuONa‐activated sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran at 65 °C. The nickel(0)/Al2O3 catalysts obtained were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The supported catalysts were successfully used in solution‐phase hydrogenation of double and triple bonds. Although the activity of the nickel(0)/Al2O3 is comparable to non‐supported nickel(0) reagents, it has the advantage of being reusable more than ten times with only a slight decrease of reactivity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |