Cu-based catalyst, its preparation process and use thereof

A Cu-containing catalyst, the Cu-containing catalyst being obtained by contacting a catalyst precursor with acetoin and optionally a solvent prior to being reduced, wherein, based on a total weight of said catalyst precursor, said catalyst precursor comprises:

• 30-60% of CuO,
• 10-45% of Yb2O3,
• 1-10% of an alkali metal (as oxide),
• 0-30% of a binder (on a dry basis and as oxide),
• wherein, relative to 100 parts by weight of said catalyst precursor, said Cu-containing catalyst precursor contacting with 0.1-20 parts by weight of acetoin and less than 30 parts by weight of said solvent, and wherein contacting said catalyst precursor with acetoin is performed by
• i. contacting the catalyst precursor with a gaseous stream containing 1-10 vol % of acetoin at a temperature of 100-200° C. under a pressure of 0.1-5 MPa for 2-60 hours;
• or
• ii. impregnating the catalyst precursor with 1-5 vol % acetoin in methanol under ultrasonic mixing at 20-30° C. for 5-10 hrs.