Selective gas phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride over Ni-supported catalysts: Effect of support on the catalytic performance

[Display omitted] ► Ni supported catalysts are active for selective gas phase hydrogenolysis of succinic anhydride. ► The active metal nickel phase depends on Ni2+–support interaction in oxide precursor. ► Ni–support interaction pattern is: Ni/SiO2Ni/SiO2. All catalysts were very active in the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to succinic anhydride. However, hydrogenolytic activity and stability of nickel-based catalyst varies with the degree of interaction Ni2+–support. Ni/H-BEA, in which Ni2+–support interaction is the highest, was active in the hydrogenolysis of succinic anhydride to γ-butyrolactone but it was not stable. By contrast, Ni/SiO2–Al2O3 and Ni/SiO2, with medium or low degree of Ni2+–support interaction, were more stable than Ni/H-BEA. In addition, Ni/SiO2–Al2O3, with a medium degree of Ni2+–support interaction, was the most stable and selective to γ-butyrolactone, especially when the reaction was carried out at 220°C.