Complete dechlorination of lindane over N-doped porous carbon supported Pd catalyst at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

Transfer hydrogenation is highly effective for dechlorinating priority organic pollutants in wastewater. Lindane could be completely dechlorinated at room temperature and atmospheric pressure via transfer hydrogenation, in which Pd (3.1 wt%) supported on chitosan-derived porous carbon (3.1Pd@A600) and formic acid (FA) were used as catalyst and hydrogen source, respectively. Favorable catalytic activity of 3.1Pd@A600 is attributed to pyridinic N of the support that allowed Pd nanoparticles to be well-dispersed in the solid and to pyridinic N-Pd interactions that enhanced FA decomposition over that observed for commercial carbon supported Pd catalyst (5Pd@AC). In the reaction system containing 3.1Pd@A600 and FA, 99.7% lindane conversion and 100% dechlorination efficiency could be achieved at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure within 60 min. Benzene and cyclohexane were identified as end-products of lindane dechlorination. The transfer hydrogenation strategy developed in this study has wide application to chlorinated organic pollutants contained in actual waste streams. [Display omitted] •Chitosan-based N-rich porous carbon anchors Pd nanoparticles and enhances activity.•Pyridinic N in support acts as dispersant for Pd nanoparticles.•Pyridinic N-Pd interactions promote formic decomposition.•99.7% lindane conversion achieved with 3.1Pd@A600 at ambient conditions•100% lindane dechlorination forms benzene and cyclohexane as end-products.