Release Time:2019-03-12  Hits:

Indexed by: Journal Article

Date of Publication: 2018-07-01

Journal: ACS CATALYSIS

Included Journals: SCIE

Volume: 8

Issue: 7

Page Number: 6486-6494

ISSN: 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.