Activity and deactivation of catalysts based on zirconium oxide modified with metal chlorides in the MPV reduction of crotonaldehyde

- Metal chloride modified ZrO2 showed enhanced Lewis acidity.
- Metal chloride modified ZrO2 catalysts exhibited medium activity in MPV reduction.
- Catalysts presented a severe deactivation process both at 150 and 200 °C.
- Catalytic activity recovered after the fouled catalyst was burned out at 200 °C.
- Au/ZrO2 catalyst scarcely deactivates probably due to the presence of Au particles.