Gas phase dehydrogenation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">n</i>-butanol to butyraldehyde on magnesia supported copper catalysts

Abstract

Gas phase dehydrogenation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">n</i>-butanol to butyraldehyde has been carried out at atmospheric pressure using magnesia supported copper catalysts, which are prepared by a conventional impregnation method by varying the loading of Cu with 5, 10 and 15% by weight. These catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and temperature programmed reduction techniques. Among the series of Cu/MgO catalysts, 10%Cu/MgO catalyst exhibits superior activity with 89% conversion of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">n-</i>butanol and 98% selectivity for butyraldehyde.