Coupling reaction between ethanol dehydrogenation and maleic anhydride hydrogenation catalyzed by Cu/Al2O3, Cu/ZrO2, and Cu/ZnO catalysts

Coupling ethanol dehydrogenation and maleic anhydride hydrogenation resulted in the compensation of hydrogen and heat. Cu/Al2O3 catalysts favored the formation of γ-butyrolactone and ethyl acetate while Cu/ZnO and Cu/ZrO2 catalysts favored the formation of diethyl succinate and acetaldehyde. Ethanol dehydrogenation and maleic anhydride hydrogenation are competitive reactions on the supported-copper catalysts.