Catalytic liquid-phase oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid over a Pt/CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2/γ-alumina catalyst

Pt/CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation and wet impregnation methods for catalytic oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid in water. In the present catalysts, Pt and CeO2–ZrO2–SnO2 were successfully dispersed on the γ-Al2O3 support. Dependences of platinum content and reaction time on the selective oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid were investigated to optimize the reaction conditions for obtaining both high acetaldehyde conversion and highest selectivity to acetic acid. Among the catalysts, a Pt(6.4 wt.%)/Ce0.68Zr0.17Sn0.15O2.0(16 wt.%)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst showed the highest acetaldehyde oxidation activity. On this catalyst, acetaldehyde was completely oxidized after the reaction at 0°C for 8 hr, and the selectivity to acetic acid reached to 95% and higher after the reaction for 4 hr and longer.

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