Toluene hydrogenation at low temperature using a molybdenum carbide catalyst

A molybdenum carbide catalyst prepared with a novel methodology and its toluene hydrogenation activity tested at temperatures within 423–598 K and 2.76 MPa is here reported. Almost 100% hydrogenation was achieved at 473 K with this catalyst. The activation energy was 58.1 kJ/mol with a zero-order reaction for toluene concentration, illustrating a behavior comparable to that of noble metals. Additional catalyst formulations were tested and their activities compared between them. XRD and Raman characterization of the catalysts allowed identification of several species in the newly synthesized catalyst, namely fcc-Mo2C and MoO2.

The activity of the synthesized molybdenum carbide catalyst, compared with a commercial carbide, hydrotreating Ni–Mo/Al2O3 catalyst, and molybdenum nitride, was the highest under the evaluated experimental conditions.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (184 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ An alternative new methodology to prepare Mo2C catalysts at low temperature. ▶ Excellent toluene hydrogenation activity at low temperature (473 K) and pressure. ▶ Kinetics reveals a noble metal catalytic behavior. ▶ Highest hydrogenation activity compared with other formulations.