Synthesis and characterization of Sibunit-supported Pd–Ga, Pd–Zn, and Pd–Ag catalysts for liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation

Pd/Sibunit and Pd–M/Sibunit (M = Ga, Zn, or Ag) catalysts have been synthesized, and their catalytic properties in liquid-phase acetylene hydrogenation have been investigated. Doping of the palladium catalyst with a metal M leads to the formation of the Pd 2 Ga, PdZn, or Pd 0.46 Ag 0.54 bimetallic compound. The bimetallic particles are much smaller (1.6–2.0 nm) than the monometallic palladium particles (4.0 nm). Doping with zinc raises the ethylene selectivity by 25% without affecting the activity of the catalyst. Specific features of the effect of each of the dopants on palladium are reported.