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Indexed by:Journal Papers

Date of Publication:2018-07-01

Journal:ACS CATALYSIS

Included Journals:SCIE

Volume:8

Issue:7

Page Number:6486-6494

ISSN No.:2155-5435

Key Words:iridium; rhenium; bifunctional effect; hydrogenation; succinic acid; strong electrostatic adsorption

Abstract:Aqueous phase hydrogenation of succinic acid was investigated using a series of Ir-Re/C bimetallic catalysts prepared by strong electrostatic adsorption. Activity measurements show remarkable synergistic effects, forming a volcano-shaped plot over a range of bulk Re mole fractions with a peak at a fraction of 0.4-0.5, which corresponds to a 20-fold enhancement of activity over either monometallic catalyst. This intermediate catalyst composition exhibiting optimum activity strongly suggests a bifunctional effect. Through a consecutive reaction pathway with gamma-butyrolactone as an intermediate, the main product is tetrahydrofuran with 60-75% selectivity. Butanol formation is minimized with decreasing Re mole fraction.