Selective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbonyl compounds

US4536347A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Michael Horner · Neustadt, DE
• Matthias Irgang · Heidelberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 1984
• Grant date: Aug 20, 1985
• Expiry date: Mar 19, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C33/03
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Ruthenium-on-charcoal and ruthenium-on-carbon black catalysts, containing from 0.1 to 5% by weight of iron, for the preparation of olefinically unsaturated alcohols by selective hydrogenation of the corresponding .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the liquid phase are prepared by modifying the catalyst with iron only after it has been impregnated with the ruthenium compound, and reducing the catalyst with hydrogen at from 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., with thorough mixing. The catalysts according to the invention are particularly useful for improving the industrially difficult hydrogenation of citral to give the soughtafter fragrances geraniol and nerol.