XPS evidence for structure-performance relationship in selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde to crotyl alcohol on platinum systems supported on natural phosphates

► Crotonaldehyde hydrogenation was carried out on natural phosphate Pt supported catalysts. ► Impregnated catalysts were intrinsically more active and selective to crotyl alcohol. ► XPS showed the existence of new surface interactions within impregnated catalysts. ► A low binding energy Pt species appeared in these solids, not described in the literature. ► Addition of FeCl2 lead to a significant increase in selectivity to crotyl alcohol.