Chromium-free catalysts for selective vapor phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to γ-butyrolactone

• Published in: Catalysis today Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 181 - 186
• Main Authors: Castiglioni, Gian Luca, Ferrari, Maria, Guercio, Alberto, Vaccari, Angelo, Lancia, Rosa, Fumagalli, Carlo
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 29.01.1996; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemistry; Chromium-free catalysts; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Maleic anhydride; Selective vapour phase hydrogenation; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; γ-Butyrolactone; γ-Butyrolactone; Selective vapour phase hydrogenation; Chromium-free catalysts; Maleic anhydride; Mixed catalyst; Clay; Catalytic reaction; Catalyst selectivity; Temperature effect; Composition effect; Transition metal; Aluminium; Experimental study; Hydrogenation; Zinc; Chemical modification; Group IIIB metal; Vapor phase; Chromium; Copper; Catalyst activity
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/0920-5861(95)00209-X

The replacement of chromite catalysts in the selective vapor phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA) to γ-butyrolactone (GBL), useful intermediate in the production of chlorine-free solvents, was investigated. In order to avoid the interferences related to physical dishomogeneity of the precursors, Cu/Zn/M catalysts (38:38:24, atomic ratio percent, where M = Cr, Al or Ga) obtained by thermal decomposition of hydrotalcite-type anionic clays were used. The Al-containing catalyst exhibited better performances than the Cr-containing catalyst, while with gallium no significant differences in comparison to aluminum were observed, capable of justifying the significantly higher cost. Cu/Zn/Al catalysts showed complete MA conversion and high yields in GBL, with maximum values when the Al-content was about 17% (as atomic ratio) and the Cu/Zn ratio fell between 0.5 and 1.0. Furthermore, better carbon balances were observed for these last catalysts, which may be attributed to lower light hydrocarbon synthesis and tar formation.