Iridium supported on MgF2–MgO as catalyst for toluene hydrogenation

The use of mixed magnesium oxo-fluoride support, obtained by one-step sol–gel method, for iridium active phase allowed obtaining new catalysts of high activities in the hydrogenation of toluene. The Ir/MgF2–MgO catalyst was a hundred times more active than that of the iridium system supported on MgF2. The effect of the MgO content and catalyst pre-treatment conditions appeared to have a clear influence on the activity of tested iridium catalysts. The highest activity, expressed as TOF, s− 1, was obtained for the catalyst activated at 500 °C supported on magnesium oxo-fluoride containing 60 mol.% MgO.

► Iridium catalysts for hydrogenation of toluene.
► Ir as a active phase and MgF2–MgO system obtained by sol–gel method as catalyst support.
► Catalytic activities of Ir/MgF2–MgO were higher than iridium supported on MgO or MgF2.