The bimetallic effect promotes the activity of Rh in catalyzed selective hydrogenation of phenol.

Au@RhPd ultrathin nanowires are designed as a highly reactive and selective catalyst for the hydrogenation of phenol under ambient conditions. Au NWs modulate the electronic state of Rh atoms to enhance the adsorption of phenol and desorption of cyclohexanone. Pd works as a cocatalyst to activate H 2 to H* and spillover to Rh sites. This new catalyst shows a turnover frequency of up to 560 h -1 for a wide spectrum of phenols with >80% selectivity toward cyclohexanones.