Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of 2-methyl-2-pentenal on supported metal catalysts

Platinum, palladium, and copper catalysts supported on precipitated silica have been studied for the hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation of 2-methyl-2-pentenal in the 200–400 °C temperature range. The activity follows the order Pt > Pd > Cu. It has been found that at low temperatures, Pt and Pd are primarily active for the hydrogenation of the CC bond to make 2-methyl-pentanal, with some decarbonylation, yielding n-pentane and CO as products. Decarbonylation increases at higher temperatures. Cu catalyzes hydrogenation of both CC and CO bonds. In both cases, the initial products are further hydrogenated to form 2-methyl-pentanol at higher space times. At higher temperatures on Cu, the hydrogenolysis of 2-methyl-pentanol takes place, giving 2-methyl-pentane (and H2O) as the dominant product while no decarbonylation is observed.

Graphical abstractHydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenolysis of 2-methyl-2-pentenal have been studied on supported Pt, Pd, and Cu catalysts. The activity followed the order Pt > Pd > Cu. Major products were 2-methyl-pentanal, 2-methyl-2-pentenol and 2-methyl-pentanol. n-Pentane was produced on Pt and Pd while 2-methyl-pentane is produced on Cu. At very low conversion, Cu showed strong initial hydrogenation activity of CO to form 2-methyl-2-pentenol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (23 K)Download as PowerPoint slide