CuO-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Supported on SiO2 and Al2O3 for Selective Hydrogenation of 2-Methyl-3-Butyn-2-ol

In this study, novel SiO2- and Al2O3-supported Cu-Fe catalysts are developed for selective hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyne-2-ol to 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol under mild reaction conditions. TEM, XRD, and FTIR studies of adsorbed CO and TPR-H-2 are performed to characterize the morphology, nanoparticle size, and particle distribution, as well as electronic state of deposited metals in the prepared catalysts. The deposition of Fe and Cu metal particles on the aluminum oxide carrier results in the formation of a mixed oxide phase with a strong interaction between the Fe and Cu precursors during the calcination. The highly dispersed nanoparticles of Fe2O3 and partially reduced CuOx, with an average size of 3.5 nm and with strong contact interactions between the metals in 5Cu-5Fe/Al2O3 catalysts, provide a high selectivity of 93% toward 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol at complete conversion of the unsaturated alcohol.