The role of the support in CO hydrogenation selectivity of supported rhodium

Authors:
  • JKJames R. Katzer
    James R. Katzer
  • ASArthur W. Sleight
    Arthur W. Sleight
  • PGPatricio Gajardo
    Patricio Gajardo
  • JMJohn B. Michel
    John B. Michel
  • EGEdward F. Gleason
    Edward F. Gleason
  • SMScott McMillan
    Scott McMillan
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Abstract
Catalytic hydrogenation of CO offers tremendous challenges in catalyst design to control selectivity because of the large variety of hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing species that can be formed; Rh can produce the full range of potential products. Rh on SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, CeO2 and MgO has been characterized by a complement of techniques and by CO hydrogenation activity. Catalytic activity varied over 200-fold, dependent on the support; Rh/TiO2 was the most active. Selectivity to alcohols vs. hydrocarbons and to methanol vs. ethanol varied over 50-fold. CO hydrogenation selectivity to alcohols varies with the basicity of the support; MgO, the most basic support, exhibited 90 % selectivity to methanol.