Catalytic Application of Raney Nickel – Nickel Aluminum Alloy Catalyst November 28, 2014 Paper 4 Abstract The versatile use of Nickel and its alloys as a catalyst, mostly for hydrogenating organic compounds, can be seen in the chemical industry. Unlike nickel which exits in nature, the alloys of nickel are chemically produced one of which is nickel aluminide, an intermetallic compound. Raney Ni an alloy of nickel is chemically produced and is very finely divided which allows for high reactivity. It is pyrophoric in air. Because of its finely divided composition it has exceptional catalytic properties. Introduction In nature, various forms of catalysts exist, the most common of which are enzymes. The crucial roles catalysts play can be observed in the ecosystem and also in the human body. For chemical purposes, catalysts are widely used in order to help increase the rate of a chemical reaction without the catalyst being used up. With that said, enzymes are capable of catalyzing only one reaction. Unlike enzymes, which are known as naturally occurring catalysts, laboratory and industrially prepared catalysts are made in such a way as to mimic the roles or functions of natural catalysts. One of the many types of industrial catalyst is the nickel aluminide commonly known as Raney Nickel which is currently the most active nickel catalyst. [1] The nickel aluminide is a metal catalyst which is composed mostly of nickel and some aluminum and has its formula as NiAl although it is sometimes written as Ni3Al or NiAl3. These three materials are commonly referred to as nickel aluminide or Raney Nickel. The chemical reaction which occurs between a catalyst and the reactant form chemical intermediates which possess different compositions. [2] Unlike nickel, the nickel aluminum alloys possess high catalytic properties since they are finely grounded and have a higher surface area. Figure 1: set up for washing catalysts Preparations Since nickel is considered a carcinogen, strict safety measures are followed in the preparation of nickel alloys. The synthesis of Raney nickel can be done by first preparing the nickel alloy which is made up of NiAl3 and Ni2Al3. The formed intermetallic compound is then leached in order to obtain NiAl. A traditional method of synthesizing nickel alloys involves mechanical alloying which is done by the melting of nickel in molten aluminum. …need to read more on the preparation. I find it a little confusing. Structure Due to the B2 crystal structure, nickel aluminide is considered very strong. The cubic crystal system with ordered structure gives the alloy its strength and hardness making it useful in many industrial processes. Sponge-like structure Figure 2: Ni-Al bcc crystal structure Characterization Figure 3: Ni-Al peaks and absorbance Properties Raney nickel ignites spontaneously in the presence of air making it pyrophoric when exposed to air. Resistant t ...

1. Catalytic Application of Raney Nickel – Nickel
Aluminum Alloy Catalyst
November 28, 2014
Paper 4
Abstract
The versatile use of Nickel and its alloys as a catalyst, mostly
for hydrogenating organic compounds, can be seen in the
chemical industry. Unlike nickel which exits in nature, the
alloys of nickel are chemically produced one of which is nickel
aluminide, an intermetallic compound. Raney Ni an alloy of
nickel is chemically produced and is very finely divided which
allows for high reactivity. It is pyrophoric in air. Because of its
finely divided composition it has exceptional catalytic
properties.
Introduction
In nature, various forms of catalysts exist, the most
common of which are enzymes. The crucial roles catalysts play
can be observed in the ecosystem and also in the human body.
For chemical purposes, catalysts are widely used in order to
help increase the rate of a chemical reaction without the catalyst
being used up. With that said, enzymes are capable of

2. catalyzing only one reaction. Unlike enzymes, which are known
as naturally occurring catalysts, laboratory and industrially
prepared catalysts are made in such a way as to mimic the roles
or functions of natural catalysts. One of the many types of
industrial catalyst is the nickel aluminide commonly known as
Raney Nickel which is currently the most active nickel catalyst.
[1] The nickel aluminide is a metal catalyst which is composed
mostly of nickel and some aluminum and has its formula as
NiAl although it is sometimes written as Ni3Al or NiAl3. These
three materials are commonly referred to as nickel aluminide or
Raney Nickel. The chemical reaction which occurs between a
catalyst and the reactant form chemical intermediates which
possess different compositions. [2]
Unlike nickel, the nickel aluminum alloys possess high
catalytic properties since they are finely grounded and have a
higher surface area.
Figure 1: set up for washing catalysts
Preparations
Since nickel is considered a carcinogen, strict safety
measures are followed in the preparation of nickel alloys. The
synthesis of Raney nickel can be done by first preparing the
nickel alloy which is made up of NiAl3 and Ni2Al3. The formed
intermetallic compound is then leached in order to obtain NiAl.
A traditional method of synthesizing nickel alloys involves
mechanical alloying which is done by the melting of nickel in
molten aluminum. …need to read more on the preparation. I
find it a little confusing.
Structure
Due to the B2 crystal structure, nickel aluminide is
considered very strong. The cubic crystal system with ordered
structure gives the alloy its strength and hardness making it
useful in many industrial processes.
Sponge-like structure
Figure 2: Ni-Al bcc crystal structure

3. Characterization
Figure 3: Ni-Al peaks and absorbance
Properties
Raney nickel ignites spontaneously in the presence of air
making it pyrophoric when exposed to air. Resistant to high
temperatures. During storage, Hydrogen gas escapes making it
highly susceptible to fire and explosion hazards. Raney nickel
also reacts violently with acids forming H2. They are strong
Reducing Agents
Fig. 4: Ni-Al phase diagram
Applications
Household uses
Coinage
Transportation
Construction
Petroleum industry
Conclusion
Metals, such as METAL CATALYST, are reducing agents
and tend to react with oxidizing agents. Their reactivity is
strongly influenced by their state of subdivision: in bulk they
often resist chemical combination; in powdered form they may
react very rapidly. Thus, as a bulk metal it is somewhat
unreactive, but finely divided material may be pyrophoric. The
metal reacts exothermically with compounds having active
hydrogen atoms (such as acids and water) to form flammable
hydrogen gas and caustic products. The reactions are less
vigorous than the similar reactions of alkali metals, but the
released heat can still ignite the released hydrogen. Materials in
this group may react with azo/diazo compounds to form
explosive products. These metals and the products of their
corrosion by air and water can catalyze polymerization
reactions in several classes of organic compounds; these
polymerizations sometimes proceed rapidly or even explosively.

4. Some metals in this group form explosive products with
halogenated hydrocarbons. Can react explosively with oxidizing
materials.
References
1. The Preparation of Raney Nickel Catalysts and their Use
Under Conditions Comparable with Those for Platinum and
Palladium Catalysts. Homer Adkins, Harry R. Billica. Journal of
American Chemical Society, 1948, 70 (2), pp 695–698.
Publication Date: February 1, 1948 (Article) DOI:
10.1021/ja01182a080.
2. Bakker, M. L.; Young, D. J.; Wainwright, M. S. (1988).
"Selective leaching of NiAl3 and Ni2Al3 intermetallics to form
Raney nickels". Journal of Materials Science23 (11): 3921–
3926.
3. The Role of Hydrogen in Raney Nickel Catalyst. Hilton A.
Smith, Andrew J. Chadwell Jr., and S. S. Kirslis. The Journal of
Physical Chemistry 1955 59 (9), 820-822
4. Nickel and High-Nickel Alloys. A. J. Marron Ind. Eng.
Chem., 1959, 51 (9), pp 1197–1203. Publication Date:
September 1959 (Article)
5. Preparation of a Raney Nickel Catalyst. A. A. Pavlic and
Homer Adkins. Journal of the American Chemical Society 1946
68 (8), 1471-1471