Catalysts for selective hydrogenation of alkynes and alkadienes

A hydrogenation catalyst comprising:

• a first constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and platinum;
• and
• a second constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the elements consisting of Groups 1-10 of the Periodic Table of Elements (new IUPAC notation);
• a third constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the elements consisting of Groups 11-12 of the Periodic Table of Elements (new IUPAC notation), and
• a fourth constituent of at least one support and/or binder selected from the group consisting of
• amorphous inorganic oxides selected from the group consisting of clays, aluminas, silicas, aluminophosphates, titanias, magnesias, and zirconias;
• crystalline inorganic oxides selected from the group consisting of zeolites, molecular sieves, spinels, and perovskites;
• silicon carbide;
• silicon nitride;
• boron nitride;
• carbon;
• and
• combinations thereof.

A selective hydrogenation process comprising:

• contacting a feedstock comprising at least one unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of an alkadiene, an alkyne and mixtures thereof, with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising:
• a first constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel and platinum;
• and
• a second constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the elements consisting of Groups 1-10 of the Periodic Table of Elements (new IUPAC notation);
• a third constituent of at least one metal or metal-based component where the metal is selected from the elements consisting of Groups 11-12 of the Periodic Table of Elements (new IUPAC notation), and
• a fourth constituent of at least one support and/or binder selected from the group consisting of amorphous inorganic oxides, crystalline inorganic oxides, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, carbon, and combinations thereof;
• in the presence of hydrogen to produce a product stream comprising less initial unsaturated compound than in said feedstock.