Selective hydrogenation of 1,3-pentadiene over mono- and bimetallic sulfidized Ni(Cu)—S/SiO2 catalysts

The activity and selectivity of the Ni/SiO2 catalyst, as well as the mono- and bimetallic Ni(Cu)—S/SiO2 systems were investigated in the selective hydrogenation of 1,3-pentadiene to pentenes. The presulfiding of the catalysts in a hydrogen sulfide flow substantially increases the selectivity to olefins in gas mixtures with a range of H2/diene molar ratio of 2.5–10. The samples activated in hydrogen at elevated temperatures turned out to be more active. The effect of modification of the nickel—sulfide catalysts with copper, resulting in an increase in the activity and selectivity to olefins, was found. The weight ratio Ni/Cu = 4 was shown to be optimum for achieving the maximum conversion and selectivity on the surface.