Efficient and selective hydrogenation of carboxylic acid catalyzed by Ni or Pd on ZSM-5

Abstract

Efficient and selective catalytic systems, where Ni or Pd is introduced on the silicate material (ZSM-5) having micropore and mesopore structures, have been developed for the reduction of carboxylic acids with H-2 at room temperature. It is found that the catalytic activity depends on the hydrogen pressure, the agitation rate, the nature and the amount of active species. A plausible reaction mechanism for the hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to corresponding alcohols is proposed on the basis of electronic and steric effects in these reactions.