The use of magnetic nanoparticles to convert electromagnetic energy into heat is known to be a key strategy for numerous biomedical applications but is also an approach of growing interest in the field of catalysis. The heating efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles is limited by the poor magnetic properties of most of them. Here we show that the new generation of iron carbide nanoparticles of controlled size and with over 80 % crystalline Fe C leads to exceptional heating properties, which are much better than the heating properties of currently available nanoparticles. Associated to catalytic metals (Ni, Ru), iron carbide nanoparticles submitted to magnetic excitation very efficiently catalyze CO hydrogenation in a dedicated continuous-flow reactor. Hence, we demonstrate that the concept of magnetically induced heterogeneous catalysis can be successfully applied to methanation of CO and represents an approach of strategic interest in the context of intermittent energy storage and CO recovery.

Magnetic heating has recently been demonstrated as an efficient way to perform catalytic reactions after deposition of the heating agent and the catalyst on a support. Here we show that in solution, and under mild conditions of mean temperature and pressure, it is possible to use magnetic heating to carry out transformations that are otherwise performed heterogeneously at high pressure and/or high temperature. As a proof of concept, we chose the hydrodeoxygenation of acetophenone derivatives and of biomass‐derived molecules, namely furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural. These reactions are difficult, require heterogeneous catalysts and high pressures, and, to the best of our knowledge, have no precedent in standard solution. Here, hydrodeoxygenations are fully selective under mild conditions (3 bar H2, moderate mean temperature of the solvent). The reason for this reactivity is the fast heating of the particles well above the boiling temperature of the solvent and the local creation of hot spots surrounded by a vapor layer, in which high temperature and pressure may be present. This technology may be practicable for many organic transformations.