Effect of Support Properties on Selective Butanediols Production from Erythritol using Ir/ReO<sub>x</sub> Catalysts
Emanuel M. Virgilio, C.L. Padró, M.E. Sad
Abstract
Abstract This study reports the selective obtaining of butanediols (BDO), widely used in the polymer and synthetic rubber industry, by C−O hydrogenolysis of erythritol. The effect of the support on catalytic activity and selectivity to BDO was exhaustively studied using Ir/ReO x catalysts supported on SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , activated carbon, CeO 2 , TiO 2 and ZrO 2 . The catalysts were thoroughly characterized and it was found that the physicochemical, redox and acidic properties of the supports notably influenced the metal dispersion, reducibility of the species and particle sizes. The most active and selective catalyst was Ir/ReO x /TiO 2 (maximum BDO yield of 53 %), favoring C−O hydrogenolysis and minimizing C−C scissions and dehydration reactions. This superior performance was attributed to the formation of small clusters with an intimate contact between Ir and partially oxidized Re species (mainly Re +IV ) that favors the appropriate adsorption of erythritol on ReO 2 and the further interaction with H 2 adsorbed on Ir 0 to render BDO.