A highly efficient and selective catalyst for liquid phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to butyric acid

Abstract

A highly efficient Pd/TiO 2 catalyst for the liquid phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride has been prepared by sol–gel method and super critical fluid of ethanol drying (SCFE) was applied. Over Pd/TiO 2 catalyst prepared by sol–gel, 93.5% yield to butyric acid and 100% conversion of maleic anhydride were obtained at 240 °C, 3 MPa. The high conversion of maleic anhydride and high yield towards butyric acid were attributed to the strong adsorption of MA or SAH species via the C O bond in di-σ mode on interfacial Pd–TiO x site which was induced by the high temperature reduction step. Meanwhile, the reaction temperature and the interaction between metal and support has an obvious influence on the yield of BA.