The Influence of Reduction Methods and Conditions on the Activity of Alumina-Supported Platinum Catalysts for the Liquid Phase Hydrogenation of Benzaldehyde in Ethanol

Abstract

The activities of supported metal catalysts depend on various preparation variables, including the method of reduction. A variety of reduction procedures can be applied to the preparation of supported metal catalysts. Previously, the authors used a solid-liquid reduction by sodium tetrahydroborate solution for preparing supported platinum catalysts. In this reduction, platinum precursors adsorbed on supports were brought into contact with the reducing solution. The alumina-supported platinum catalysts prepared in this way were found to display interesting activities in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated aldehydes; they were highly selective to the formation of unsaturated alcohols. The selective hydrogenation of C=O bonds of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated aldehydes is difficult to achieve with platinum catalysts without using some additives like tin and iron. The maximum temperature that the supported platinum catalysts went through was 110{degrees}C, required for the removal of water. This thermal history is a possible reason for the catalytic activity observed. Following those observations, in the present work, the authors have further examined the influence of reduction procedures by using hydrazine as well as sodium tetrahydroborate and different temperatures common during gas-phase reduction with hydrogen. The catalytic activity has been tested by the liquid-phase hydrogenation of benzaldehyde (BAL) in ethanol under mild conditions.more » 12 refs., 3 figs.« less