Supercritical Ethanol and Isopropanol Conversion into Chemicals over Au-M Catalysts

Abstract

This study is the first to investigate the catalytic performance of Au-Cu catalysts in the direct alkylation of ethanol with isopropanol. Alcohols and ketones containing 5 or 7 carbon atoms were suggested as aim products of the reaction. For example depending on catalyst composition and reaction conditions pentanol-2 selectivity was 30-40%. To describe the differences between the structure of supported metals in catalysts, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed. Structural investigations of Au-Cu/Al2O3, Au/Al2O3 and Cu/Al2O3 catalysts were conducted via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The relationships between a compound’s structure, activity and mechanistic aspects are discussed to clarify the factors that may affect the synergetic effect in the presence of the Au-Cu catalyst.