Synthesis of succinic anhydride from maleic anhydride on Ni/diatomite catalysts

The characteristics and catalytic properties of Ni(5 wt%)/diatomite, Ni(5 wt%)/γ-Al2O3, Ni(5% wt)/Bentonite clay and Ni(5 wt%)/attapulgite clay were investigated and compared in terms of catalytic activities for liquid-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA). The results showed that the diatomite support exhibited the highest activity and selectivity. Using Ni(7 wt%)/diatomite catalyst, the 100% conversion of MA and 96.20% selectivity to SA were obtained for MA hydrogenation at 190 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that there is only NiO on the support and no elemental nickel (Ni0) and Ni2O3 was detected in unreduced samples. XRD and H2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) studies also showed that NiO species were all converted to metallic nickel (Ni0) after reduction at 350 °C.

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► In this study, the conversion and the selective hydrogenation of MA were examined on supported Ni catalysts Ni/diatomite, Ni/γ-Al2O3, Ni/bentonite clay and Ni/attapulgite clay.
► The support diatomite improves the activity and selectivity of supported Ni catalyst.
► Ni content has a great influence on the hydrogenation reaction.
► Use of Ni/diatomite catalyst, the 100% conversion for MA and 96.20% selectivity for SA were obtained for MA hydrogenation at a optimum temperature.