Methods for selective hydrogenation performance using a layered sphere catalyst with new formulations

A process for selectively hydrogenating one or more C3-C11 diolefins and acetylenes in a hydrocarbon mixture to one or more respective C3-C11 monoolefins, comprising:

• contacting the hydrocarbon mixture under selective hydrogenation conditions into contact with a layered catalyst composition to give a C3-C11 monoolefin product stream, wherein the layered catalyst composition comprises:
• an inner core comprising an inert material;
• an outer layer bonded to the inner core, and comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, silica, and mixtures thereof;
• a first metal deposited on the outer layer, wherein the first metal is selected from a first group consisting an IUPAC Group 8-10 metal, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• a second metal deposited on the outer layer, wherein the second metal is selected from a second group consisting of an IUPAC Group 11-17 metal, and mixtures thereof;
• wherein the atomic ratio of the first metal to the aluminum atom equivalent in the metal oxide in the outer layer is in a ratio between 0.001 and 0.01, and wherein the first metal is deposited non-uniformly in the outer layer, such that the atomic ratio of the first metal to the atomic metal in the metal oxide in the outermost 500 nm is at least 2 times the bulk ratio in the outer layer.