Method for hydrogenating aqueous solutions of carbohydrates
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorBlaise J. Arena
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Abstract
Zerovalent Group VIII metals dispersed on alpha-alumina are hydrothermally stable hydrogenation catalysts which may be used advantageously in the reduction of aqueous solutions of carbohydrates. The use of ruthenium on alpha-alumina in the hydrogenation of glucose affords sorbitol in excellent yields with quite high selectivity, and with minimal leaching of either ruthenium or alumina.
Claims11
A method for the hydrogenation of a carbohydrate to its polyol(s) comprising contacting at hydrogenating conditions an aqueous solution of the carbohydrate with hydrogen and a catalyst consisting essentially of a zerovalent Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of osmium, ruthenium, palladium and platinum dispersed on alpha-alumina, and recovering the formed polyol(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.