Short communicationSelective hydrogenation of propyne on a solid Pd/Al2O3 catalyst modified with ionic liquid layer (SCILL)

•Successful application of SCILL concept in selective hydrogenation of propyne.•Use of IL-coated Pd/Al2O3 egg-shell catalyst improved propene selectivity.•Pore filling degree of 5% was already sufficient to suppress consecutive hydrogenation.

The successful application of solid catalyst with ionic liquid layer (SCILL) concept in the selective hydrogenation of propyne is presented in this work. A Pd-based SCILL catalyst was prepared by spray impregnation of commercial available Pd/Al2O3 egg-shell catalyst and characterized by nitrogen sorption. Catalytic testing showed that even small amounts of ionic liquid were sufficient to suppress the consecutive reaction of propane formation, while propene selectivity was increased up to 97%. C6 oligomer formation, which is known to induce deactivation of the catalyst, could be prevented by excess hydrogen in the feed.

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