Liquid-phase hydrodechlorination of polychloroaromatic compounds in the presence of Pd-promoted nickel catalysts

Liquid phase hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls in the ethanol-containing solution, on Me⁰/C (where Me⁰-Pd, Ni or bimetallic Ni−Pd; C-carbon material “Sibunit”) with H₂ have been studied at 20–70°C and P_{H 2}=1–50 atm. Pd and Pd-promoted Ni catalysts exhibit the highest activity. Kinetic studies show hydrodechlorination of these compounds to be a consecutive reaction, which under the conditions described may produce less chlorinated compounds.