Catalyst comprising Raney nickel with adsorbed molybdenum compound

Abstract

This invention provides an improved Raney nickel catalyst characterized by having a molybdenum compound adsorbed thereon. The novel catalyst contains about 0.5-15 parts by weight of molybdenum adsorbed per 100 parts by weight of Raney nickel solids. Optionally, one or more additional metals may be included in the catalyst. The catalyst is particularly effective in the manufacture of high quality butanediol by hydrogenation of butynediol, and for selective hydrogenation of carbonyl groups, sometimes even in the presence of carbon-carbon unsaturation, e.g. for the conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.