Copper-Zinc Oxide Catalysts for Aldehyde Hydrogenation by Direct Reductive Activation of Precursors

Bulk copper-zinc oxide hydrogenation catalysts are generally prepared by calcination of co-precipitated precursors followed by reduction. This study reports the direct reduction in hydrogen of co-precipitated oxy/hydroxy-carbonate precursors omitting calcination. Dried and incompletely calcined precursors are compared with calcined catalysts. The reduction reactions in hydrogen were monitored in situ by XRD and TGA-MS. Direct activation of precursors led to higher copper dispersions and increased catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of butyraldehyde to butanol as test reaction.