Bismuth catalyst composition and process for manufacturing ethanol mixture

A catalyst composition comprising from 0.25 wt. % to 2 wt. % active metals on a support comprising a support modifier, wherein the active metals comprise at least one Group VIII metal and bismuth, wherein the catalyst composition comprises an excess molar amount of the at least one Group VIII metal, and wherein the support modifier is selected from the group consisting of (i) alkaline earth metal oxides, (ii) alkali metal oxides, (iii) alkaline earth metal metasilicates, (iv) alkali metal metasilicates, (v) Group IIB metal oxides, (vi) Group IIB metal metasilicates, (vii) Group IIIB metal oxides, (viii) Group IIIB metal metasilicates, and mixtures thereof.

A process for producing ethanol and ethyl acetate comprising contacting a feedstock comprising acetic acid and hydrogen in a reaction zone at hydrogenation conditions including a temperature of greater than about 290° C. with a catalyst composition, wherein the catalyst composition comprises from 0.25 wt. % to 2 wt. % active metals on a support selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, silica/alumina, calcium metasilicate, pyrogenic silica, high purity silica, zirconia, carbon, zeolite and mixtures thereof, wherein the active metals comprise at least one Group VIII metal and bismuth, and where the catalyst composition comprises an excess molar amount of the at least one Group VIII metal.