Heteroatom Promoted Ni/Al₂O₃ Catalysts for Highly Efficient Hydrogenation of 1,4-Butynediol to 1,4-Butenediol

A series of nickel-based catalysts were prepared by solution combustion synthesis (SCS), using Ce, Ag, Mo, Fe, or Co as a promoter, and applied for efficient and selective hydrogenation of 1,4-butynediol (BYD) to 1,4-butenediol (BED). It was found that each catalyst containing promoter had higher conversion of BYD and higher selectivity of BED than that of pristine Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Among as-prepared catalysts, Ni−Fe/Al₂O₃ exhibited the highest activity and stability toward selective hydrogenation of BYD to BED. Results revealed that the improved catalytic performance of Ni−Fe/Al₂O₃ over those of Ni/Al₂O₃ could be ascribed to the varied metal-support interaction and active site dispersion, as well as the formation of Ni−Fe taenite. DFT calculations further demonstrated that the introduction of Fe regulated the adsorption strength of BYD and H on the surface of the catalyst, thus improving the catalytic hydrogenation activity of BYD.