Enhanced production of benzyl alcohol in the gas phase continuous hydrogenation of benzaldehyde over Au/Al2O3

Maoshuai Li, Xiaodong Wang, Noémie Perret, Mark A. Keane*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Exclusive hydrogenation of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol in gas phase continuous operation (393-413 K, 1 atm) was achieved over Au/Al 2O3, Au/TiO2 and Au/ZrO2. Synthesis of Au/Al2O3 by deposition-precipitation generated a narrower distribution (2-8 nm) of smaller (mean = 4.3 nm) Au particles relative to impregnation (1-21 nm, mean = 7.9 nm) with increased H2 uptake under reaction conditions and higher benzaldehyde turnover. Switching reactant carrier from ethanol to water resulted in a significant enhancement of selective hydrogenation rate over Au/Al2O3 with 100% benzyl alcohol yield, attributed to increased available reactive hydrogen. This response extends to reaction over Au/TiO2 and Au/ZrO2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)187-191
Number of pages5
JournalCatalysis Communications
Volume46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Au/AlO
  • Benzaldehyde
  • Benzyl alcohol
  • Selective hydrogenation
  • Water as carrier

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • General Chemistry

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