The Semi-ideal Solution Theory. 3. Extension to Viscosity of Multicomponent Aqueous Solutions

Viscosities were measured for the ternary aqueous systems NaCl–mannitol(C₆H₁₄O₆)–H₂O, NaBr–mannitol–H₂O, KCl–mannitol–H₂O, KCl–glycine(NH₂CH₂COOH)–H₂O, KCl–CdCl₂–H₂O, and their binary subsystems NaCl–H₂O, KCl–H₂O, NaBr–H₂O, CdCl₂–H₂O, mannitol–H₂O, and glycine–H₂O at 298.15 K. A powerful new approach is presented for theoretical modeling of the viscosity of multicomponent solutions in terms of the properties of their binary solutions. In this modeling, the semi-ideal solution theory was used to associate the solvation structure formed by each ion and its first solvation shell in a binary solution with the solvation structure of the same ion and its first solvation shell in multicomponent solutions. Then, the novel mechanism proposed by Omta et al. (Science, 301:347–349, 2003) for the effect of a single electrolyte on the viscosity of water was extended to describe the influence of solute mixtures on the viscosity of water, including electrolyte mixtures, nonelectrolyte mixtures, and mixtures of electrolytes with nonelectrolytes. The established simple equation was verified by comparison with measured viscosities and viscosities reported in literature. The agreements are very impressive. This formulation provides a powerful new approach for modeling this transport property in solutions. It can stimulate further research in establishing a dynamical analogue to that formulated for the thermodynamics of multicomponent solutions. It is also very important for the study of hydration of ions.     

Manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehyde

The complexes Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehyde were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and UV spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, magnetic susceptibility, thermal gravimetric analysis, conductivity and also solubility measurements in water, methanol and DMF solution at 298 K. They are polycrystalline compounds with various formula and different ratio of metal ion:ligand. Their formula are following: [MnL₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₂·2H₂O, [CoL₂](NO₃)₂·3H₂O, [NiL₂](NO₃)₂·3H₂O, [CuL₂](NO₃)₂·H₂O and [ZnL₃](NO₃)₂, where L = C₁₀H₆O₃. The coordination of metal ions is through oxygen atoms present in 4-position of γ-pyrone ring and of aldehyde group of ligand. Chelates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) obey Curie–Weiss law and they are high-spin complexes with the weak ligand fields. The thermal stability of analyzed complexes was studied in air at 293–1,173 K. On the basis of the thermoanalytical curves, it appears that thermal stability of anhydrous analysed chelates changed following: Cu (423 K) < Zn (438 K) ~ Co (440 K) < Ni (468 K). The gaseous products of thermal decomposition of those compounds in air atmosphere are following: CO₂, CO, NO₂, N₂O, hydrocarbons and in case of hydrates also water. The molar conductance data confirm that the all studied complexes are 1:2 electrolytes in DMF solution.     

Study of the crystallization fields of nickel(II) selenites in the system NiSeO3–SeO2–H2O

The solubility of NiSeO₃–SeO₂–H₂O system in the temperature region 298–573 K was studied. The compounds of the three-component system were identified by the Schreinemakers’ method. The phase diagram of nickel(II) selenites was drawn and the crystallization fields for the different phases were determined. Depending on the conditions for hydrothermal synthesis, NiSeO₃·2H₂O, α-NiSeO₃·1/3H₂O, β-NiSeO₃·1/3H₂O, NiSeO₃ and NiSe₂O₅ were obtained. The different phases were proved and characterized by chemical, powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analyses as well as IR spectroscopy.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)(NBD)]<Superscript>+</Superscript> with diynes

Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne generates the unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. A possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] is suggested. Graphical Abstract  Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with 4,4′-Diethynylbiphenyl generates [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂. The reaction of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)][BF₄] with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne simply generates unusual [2 + 2 + 2] additional organic compound Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph in addition to the organometallic compound [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄]. [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BPh₄]₂ is generated after the reaction of compound [C₉H₉-η⁶-C₆H₄(RuCp*)–C₆H₄(RuCp*)-η⁶-C₉H₉][BF₄]₂ with Na[BPh₄]. The structure of this compound was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. And the possible approach to form Ph–C≡C–C₉H₈–Ph and [Cp*Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅–C≡C–C≡C–Ph)][BF₄] was suggested. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Regioselective Heterocyclization of 3-(Cyclohex-2′-enyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyran-2-one

Summary.  Regioselective heterocyclization of 3-(cyclohex-2′-enyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl pyran-2-one with various reagents afforded different heterocycles. With N-iodosuccinimide in acetonitrile at 0–5°C it gave 6-methyl-9′-iodo-2′-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonano[3,2-c]pyran-2-one, with C₅H₅NHBr₃ or C₆H₁₂N₄HBr₃ in CHCl₃ at 0–5°C it furnished 6-methyl-9′-bromo-2′-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonano[3,2-c]pyran-2-one. Cold concentrated H₂SO₄ lead to 6-methyl-2′-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonano[3,2-c]pyran-2-one, whereas PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ in C₆H₆ at 80°C afforded 9-methyl benzofuro[3,2-c]pyran-2-one. Corresponding author. E-mail: kcm@klyuniv.ernet.in Received December 27, 2001. Accepted (revised) March 1, 2002     

Identification of Saturating Solid Phases in the System Ce2(SO4)3-H2O from the Solubility Data

Saturating solid phases, Ce₂(SO₄)₃·hH₂O, with hydrate numbers h equal to 12, 9, 8, 5, 4 and 2, have been identified by critical evaluation of the solubility data in the system Ce₂(SO₄)₃—H₂O over the temperature range 273–373 K. The results are compared with the respective TG—DTA—DSC and X-ray data. The solubility smoothing equations, transition points and solution enthalpy estimators of the identified hydrates are given. The stable equilibrium solid phases are concluded to be only Ce₂(SO₄)₃·9H₂O at 273–310 K, Ce₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O at 310–367 K and Ce₂(SO₄)₃·2H₂O at 367–373 K. Divergencies of up to 185% in the reported solubility data are mainly due to a variety of metastable equilibria involved in the close crystallization fields, and incorrect assignments of the saturating solid phases. Since a similar variety of the hydrate numbers exists for the analogous La(III) system, it most probably also occurs for the corresponding Pu(III), Np(III) and U(III) systems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spectral, magnetic and thermal investigations of some d-electron element 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoates

Conditions for the preparation of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoates were investigated and their quantitative composition and magnetic moments were determined. The IR spectra and powder diffraction patterns of the complexes prepared of general formula M(C₉H₉O₃)₂·nH₂O (n=2 for Mn, Co n=1 for Ni, Cu, n=0 for Zn, Cd) were prepared and their thermal decomposition in air was studied. Their solubility in water at 293 K is of the order 10^–2 (Mn)–10^–4 (Cu) mol dm^–3. IR spectra of the prepared 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoates suggest that carboxylate groups are bidentate bridging. The magnetic moments for the paramagnetic complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) attain values 5.50, 4.45, 3.16 and 1.79 B. M., respectively. During heating the hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one step and then the anhydrous complexes decompose directly to oxides MO and Mn3O4. Only Co(II) complex decomposes to Co₃O₄ with intermediate formation CoO.     

The Semi-ideal Solution Theory. 4. Applications to the Densities and Electrical Conductivities of Mixed Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte Solutions

Densities and electrical conductivities were measured for the ternary systems NaCl–mannitol(C₆H₁₄O₆)–H₂O, KCl–glycine(NH₂CH₂COOH)–H₂O, KCl–mannitol–H₂O, and NaBr–mannitol–H₂O at 298.15 K. Densities of the binary systems KCl–H₂O, NaBr–H₂O, glycine–H₂O and conductivities of the binary system NaBr–H₂O at 298.15 K were also measured. The measured densities were used to check the predictions of the semi-ideal solution theory. A new approach for predicting the conductivity of ternary electrolyte−nonelectrolyte mixture solutions in terms of the properties of their binary solutions of equal water activity is presented and compared with the measured values. The results show that the semi-ideal solution theory can provide good predictions for the densities and conductivities of the tested ternary electrolyte−nonelectrolyte solutions from the properties of their binary subsystems.     

Tris-[3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-pyridin-4(1H)-onato]cobalt(III)

The preparation and properties of tris-[3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-pyridin-4(1H)-onato]cobalt(III) are described. The structure of the fac isomer has been established by X-ray diffraction techniques. Solvation characteristics of this complex have been assessed through solubility measurements in methanol–water mixtures. The complex is very inert in neutral solution but undergoes acid-catalysed aquation at lower pHs.     

Preparation and characterization of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> aerogels supported ruthenium for catalytic wet air oxidation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid

Catalytic wet air oxidation of an aqueous solution of p-hydroxybenzoic acid was conducted over ruthenium catalysts (1 wt%) supported on CeO₂–Al₂O₃ aerogels mixed oxides at 140 °C and 50 bars of air. We study the effect of the amount of CeO₂ in the catalyst. We found that the optimal cerium content in the Al₂O₃ support was 20 wt%. The activity of the Ru/Al₂O₃ and Ru/CeO₂ was also tested for comparison. It was found that the addition of CeO₂ on the alumina support improves the activity of Ru catalysts. The activity of the samples decreases in the following order: Ru/Ce–Al (20) > Ru/Ce–Al (10) > Ru/Ce–Al (5) ≈ Ru/Al₂O₃ > Ru/CeO₂. Samples characterization was performed by means of N₂ adsorption–desorption, XRD, UV–Vis, TPR, SEM and TEM.     

Thermochemistry of Bu<Subscript>4</Subscript>NBr solutions in binary solvents containing formamide

The heats of solution of tetrabutylammonium bromide have been measured in mixtures of formamide (FA) with methanol (MeOH) and ethylene glycol (EG) at 313.15 K by calorimetric method. The standard enthalpies of solution in binary mixtures have been extrapolated to infinite dilution by Redlich–Rosenfeld–Meyer type equation using the literary data at 298.15 K and the present paper data at 313.15 K. The Debye–Hückel limiting law slope A _H required for calculation of the ∆_sol H ⁰ value has been obtained with application the new additive scheme of determination of the physic-chemical characteristics of binaries. The scheme is tested on the example of Bu₄NBr solutions in FA–MeOH mixture at 298.15 K. Its application yields the ∆_sol H ⁰ value very closed on the ones determined with the real (non-additive) characteristics of binaries. The standard enthalpies of solution extrapolated by Redlich–Rosenfeld–Meyer type equation are in a good agreement with the ones computed in terms of the Debye–Hückel theory in the second approximation. The heat capacities characteristics of Bu₄NBr have been calculated in H₂O–FA, MeOH–FA and EG–FA mixtures using the literary and present data. The sequence of solvents H₂O > FA > EG > MeOH located on their ability to solvophobic solvation found by us earlier for enthalpic characteristics is confirmed by the ∆C _p ⁰ values. The comparison of thermochemical characteristics of Bu₄NBr solutions in aqueous and non-aqueous mixtures containing FA has been carried out. The own structure of water remains in the region of small additions of formamide to co-solvents. It considerably differs the H₂O–FA mixture from the investigated non-aqueous systems.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the ligand substitution reaction between aquapentacyanoruthenate(II) and 4-cyanopyridine in the presence of anionic surfactant micelles

The kinetics of ligand substitution between aquapentacyanoruthenate(II) ion, [Ru(CN)₅H₂O]³⁻ and 4-cyanopyridine (4-CNpy) has been investigated spectrophotometrically in the presence of anionic surfactant micelle, namely sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) at 400 nm (λ_max of the intense yellow product [Ru(CN)₅4-CNpy]³⁻) under pseudo-first-order conditions using at least 10% excess of 4-CNpy over [Ru(CN)₅H₂O]³⁻. The reaction was studied as a function of [Ru(CN)₅H₂O³⁻], [4-CNpy], [SDS], pH, ionic strength and temperature, by varying each of these variables one at a time. The reaction exhibited overall second-order kinetics, being first order each in [4-CNpy] and [Ru(CN)₅H₂O³⁻] over a wide concentration range. Variation of ionic strength of the medium had a significant negative effect on the rate. The SDS micelle, being negatively charged, does not reveal any regular effect except at or near its critical micelle concentration (c.m.c). The rate of reaction was measured at different temperatures, and the activation parameters were computed using Arrhenius and Eyring plots. A plausible mechanism consistent with the experimental results has been proposed.     

The reaction between [RuCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>] and hydroxyquinoline carboxylic acid

The reactions of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with 8-hydroxy-2-methyl-quinoline-7-carboxylic acid was examined, and a novel ruthenium(II) complex—[Ru(PPh₃)₂(C₅H₈NO)₂]—was obtained. The compound was studied by IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The molecular orbital diagram of the complex was calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The spin-allowed singlet–singlet electronic transitions of the compound were calculated using the time-dependent DFT method, and the UV–vis spectrum of the compound was discussed, on this basis. The luminescence property of the [Ru(PPh₃)₂(C₅H₈NO)₂]was examined.     

Influence of solvent structure on the aquation of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">trans</Emphasis>-[Ru(3-MePy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>] complex in mixed aqueous solvents

The kinetics of the solvolytic aquation of trans-[Ru (3-Me Py)₄Cl₂] was studied spectrophotometrically in water – isopropanol in the range (30–90% v/v), and water acetonitrile in the range (10–70% v/v), and in the temperature range 50–65 °C. Plots of log k versus the reciprocal of the relative permittivity and Grunwald–Winstien gave non-linear plots. This non-linearity is derived from a large differential effect of solvent structure between the initial and transition states. The plot of log k versus water concentration was also non linear; evidence for the presence of a S _N ¹ mechanism. However, extrema in the variation of enthalpy ΔH* and entropy ΔS* of activation correlate well with the extrema in physical properties of the mixtures which are related to changes in solvent structure. Linear plots of ΔH* versus ΔS* were obtained and the iso- kinetic temperature indicates that the reaction is entropy controlled.     

A series of three-dimensional 3d–4f heterometallic coordination frameworks based on pyridinedicarboxylic acid

Four new 3d–4f heterometallic coordination polymers [Cu₃Eu₂(2,5-pydc)₆(H₂O)₁₂]·4(H₂O) (1), [Zn₂Eu₂(2,5-pydc)₅(H₂O)₂]·3(H₂O) (2), and [Co₃Ln₂(2,6-pydc)₆(H₂O)₆]·4(H₂O) (Ln = Eu, 3; Dy, 4) (H₂pydc = pyridinedicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized and characterized. All of these compounds have extended 3D coordination frameworks containing supramolecular 1D channels, in which lattice water molecules are located. Hydrogen bonds stabilize the 3D frameworks. Additionally, a study of their fluorescence properties has indicated that compounds 1 and 2 show the characteristic transitions of Eu³⁺. Weak antiferromagnetic interactions are observed in compound 3.     

Spectral, magnetic, thermal, antimicrobial, and eukaryotic DNA studies on acetone [N-(3-hydroxy-2-naphthoyl)]hydrazone complexes

Abstract  

Acetone [N-(3-hydroxy-2-naphthoyl)] hydrazone (H₂AHNH) has been prepared and its structure confirmed by elemental analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It has been used to produce diverse complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and U(VI)O₂ ions. The complexes obtained have been investigated by thermal analysis, spectral studies (¹H NMR, IR, UV–visible, ESR), and magnetic measurements. IR spectra suggest that H₂AHNH acts as a bidentate ligand. The electronic spectra of the complexes and their magnetic moments provide information about geometries. The ESR spectra give evidence for the proposed structure and the bonding for some Cu(II) complexes. Thermal decomposition of the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes afforded metal oxides as final products. Kinetic data were obtained for each stage of thermal degradation of some of the complexes using the Coats–Redfern method. The formation of complexes in solution was studied pH-metrically and the order of their stability constants (log K) was found to be U(VI)O₂ > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II) > Co(II). Antimicrobial and eukaryotic DNA studies were carried out.     

Marked Effect of Various Supports and Additives Upon Liquid Phase Methanol Reforming with Water over Supported Group 8–10 Metal Catalysts

The support effects (SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, CeO₂ and ZrO₂) as well as addition effect of group 6b and 7b elements were studied over various supported group 8–10 metal catalysts. Basic oxide support improved the selectivity to CO₂ and acidic support suppressed the catalytic activity and selectivity. Among the investigated catalysts Pt–Mo/TiO₂ was the most active catalysts, whereas Ir–Re/SiO₂ was the most selective catalysts for H₂ and CO₂ formation. The mechanism of the liquid phase methanol reforming reaction over silica supported Pt–Ru catalyst was studied by kinetic investigations. The rate of H₂ formation over Pt–Ru/SiO₂ catalysts was more than 20 times faster than that over Pt/SiO₂ catalysts with high selectivity for CO₂ (72.3%), indicating a marked addition effect of Ru. In the case of HCHO–H₂O reaction over Pt–Ru/SiO₂, the H₂ formation rate was five times larger than that in the CH₃OH–H₂O reaction but selectivity to CO₂ was only 4%. On the contrary, in the HCOOCH₃–H₂O and HCOOH–H₂O reactions, both high activity and selectivity were observed over Pt–Ru/SiO₂. These results clearly indicate that the CO₂ formation does not proceed via HCHO decomposition and following water gas shift reaction.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylate: three three-dimensional networks formed via hydrogen bonding interactions

Three Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, namely [Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₂] (1), [Ni(bpdc)(H₂O)₂] (2), and [Co₂(bpdc)₂(prz)_0.5(H₂O)₃]·0.5H₂O (3) (H₂bpdc = 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid and prz = piperazine), have been synthesized from H₂bpdc and the corresponding metal salts under hydrothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods, as well as by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 2 both consist of neutral mononuclear molecules, of [Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₂] and [Ni(bpdc)(H₂O)₂], respectively. Compound 3 consists of a mononuclear molecule of [Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₂] and a binuclear molecule of [Co₂(bpdc)₂prz (H₂O)₂]. The discrete neutral complexes 1–3 further extend their structures into three-dimensional supramolecular architectures by intermolecular O–H⋯O and C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds as well as π–π stacking interactions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that complex 3 exhibits weak ferromagnetic interactions between the two Co(II) ions bridged by the prz ligand, with C = 5.41 cm³ mol⁻¹ K and θ = +27.6 K, respectively.     

Clathrate formation in the liquid phase of (C4H9)4NF−NH4F−H2O

At a certain concentration of NH₄F, the solid allocyric solutions of the (C₄H₉)₄NF−NH₄F−H₂O system stratify into two liquid phases in the process of melting. The mutual solubility of the liquids decreases at elevated temperatures. The boundary surface of the stratification region was determined The solubility isotherms (27 and 30°C) of the stratification region are investigated by the solubility method This relatively rare mutual sulubility of liquids (retrograde solubility) is associated with clathrate formation in the liquid phase. Near the melting points of the solid clathrate solutions, both in the liquid and solid phases the tetrabutylammonium cation evidently forms surrounding cavities bounded by water and ammonium fluoride molecules linked by hydrogen bonds. The clathrate-like components of the solution are structurally compatible with “water-like” and “organic” components, i.e., they are homogenizing components. At higher temperatures, the homogenizing clathrate-like structures break down, and the structurally incompatible solution components stratify into two phases. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol 35, No. 6, pp. 122–128, November–December, 1994. Translated by L. Smolina     

Ru/Ni/MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> catalysts for steam reforming of methane: effects of Ru content on self-activation property

The effects of Ru on the self-reducibility of Ru-doped Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts, which do not need pre-reduction treatment with H₂, were investigated in the steam reforming of methane (SRM). The Ru-promoted Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts with various amounts of Ru (0–0.5 wt%) were prepared by stepwise impregnation and co-impregnation methods using hydrotalcite-like MgAl₂O₄ support. For comparison, Ru/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts with the same amount of Ru were also prepared by the impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by the N₂-sorption, XRD, H₂-TPR, H₂-chemisorption, and XPS methods. Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst in the presence of even the trace amount of Ru (Ru content ≥0.05 wt%) showed higher conversion without pre-reduction as compared to Ru/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts in SRM under the same conditions. The self-activation of Ru–Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts is mainly attributed to the spillover of hydrogen, which is produced on Ru at first and then reduces NiO species under reaction conditions. Besides, Ru doping makes the reduction of NiO easier. The stepwise impregnated Ru/Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst produced superior performance as compared to co-impregnated Ru–Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst for SRM.