PREPARATION OF CU/SIO2 CATALYSTS BY ALKOXIDE METHOD AND THEIR ACTIVITIES FOR DEHYDROGENATION OF METHANOL LEADING TO METHYL FORMATE

SiO2-supported Cu catalysts were prepared by alkoxide method employing copper(II) nitrate, ethylene glycol and ethyl silicate, followed by calcination in a static atmosphere and reduction in a flow of hydrogen, and then applied to dehydrogenation of methanol leading to methyl formate. During the preparation of catalysts, it was found that the organic compounds containing Cu decompose on heating near 250°C, and the compounds related to Si decompose at about 320°C. Prior to the reaction, CuO and Cu2O were completely reduced to Cu metal in and/or on SiO2. These Cu/SiO2 catalysts prepared by alkoxide method showed higher activities for the reaction than those prepared by ion exchange method. © 1990, The Chemical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.