Hydrogenation of esters using alkali doped heterogeneous Group VIII transition metal catalysts
AssigneeAllied Corporation
InventorsRoger A. Grey, Guido P. Pez
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Abstract
A novel class of heterogeneous catalysts, containing Group VIII transition metals in combination with alkali organic compounds is prepared, such as potassium naphthalene on ruthenium on carbon. The catalysts are useful as heterogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters. A process for producing the materials is described. The catalysts permit the process of the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to primary alcohols to be conducted with the ester in the liquid phase at a temperature not exceeding about 150.degree. C. with high selectivity. Catalysts of Group VIII transition metals and alkali metal on carbon are also useful in such processes.
Claims31
A method for preparing a catalyst comprising contacting a group VIII metal deposited on carbon with a member of the group consisting of alkali metal arenes, alkali metal ketyls and mixtures thereof in the presence of an inert polar solvent.
A solid catalyst composition consisting essentially of about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of at least one group VIII transition metal, about 1 to about 50 weight percent of at least one alkali metal, about 2 to about 50 weight percent of an anion radical selected from the group consisting of arene radical anions, ketyls and mixtures thereof, with the alkali metal being in cation form in a molar amount equal to the anion radical, and the balance a support comprising high surface area carbon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.