Ultra-stable Cu-based catalyst for dimethyl oxalate hydrogenation to ethylene glycol

Abstract

Dimethyl oxalate (DMO) hydrogenation is a crucial step in the coal to ethylene glycol (CTEG) process. Herein, Cu catalyst supported on fibrous mesoporous silica (Cu/FMS) was synthesized via liquid phase deposition technique and applied for the DMO hydrogenation to EG. The catalyst exhibited a remarkable EG selectivity of 96.95% and maintained its activity without deactivation for 1000 h. Fibers of FMS support and liquid phase deposition technology cooperated to give high dispersion of Cu species in the Cu/FMS catalyst, resulting in a high Cu surface area. The formation of Si—O—Cu during catalyst preparation process increased the Cu+/(Cu0 + Cu+) ratio and enhanced the thermal and valence stability of Cu species. The high Cu+ surface area and Cu stability (thermal and valence stability) of the Cu/FMS catalyst were key factors for achieving superior EG selectivity and ultra-high stability.