Selective hydrogenation of citral over PtSn supported on activated carbon

Abstract

Abstract Hydrogenation of citral has been studied over Pt and PtSn catalysts supported on activated carbon. Under the conditions used the unsaturated alcohols, geraniol and nerol, were the main reaction products. Addition of a small amount of tin (20% at.) to Pt/C increases the overall catalytic activity whereas a decrease is observed at higher tin contents. Addition of tin leads also to an increase in the selectivity to unsaturated alcohols which reaches a value of about 90%. The higher selectivity and activity are attributed to an activation of the CO bond by tin ions.