Hydrophilicity modification of MCM-41 with polyethylene glycol and supported ruthenium for benzene hydrogenation to cyclohexene

Hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified MCM-41 and supported ruthenium catalyst were prepared, characterized and tested for benzene hydrogenation to cyclohexene. Ruthenium supported on PEG modified MCM-41 exhibits much better catalytic property than the unmodified catalyst. A cyclohexene yield of 55.4% was obtained at 68.5% of benzene conversion over ruthenium supported on MCM-41 modified with 5wt% of PEG (by weight of MCM-41). It has been found that the introduction of PEG could effectively improve the hydrophilicity of MCM-41. The superior cyclohexene selectivity is mainly attributed to the hydrophilic modification of PEG to MCM-41, as well as the moderate catalytic activity, long-range order of mesoporous structure and good ruthenium dispersity of the catalyst.