Process for hydrogenating organic compounds with coprecipitated copper-nickel-silica catalysts

摘要

A copper promoted massive nickel catalyst is disclosed which is capable of having a reduced nickel surface area ranging from about 55 to about 100 m2/g as determined by hydrogen chemisorption, after reduction at 400 DEG C., and a B.E.T. total surface area ranging from about 150 to about 300 m2/g, wherein the amount of copper in the catalyst ranges from about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % and the amount of nickel ranges from about 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, said wt. % of copper and nickel metal are based on the total weight of the catalyst. The copper promoted massive catalysts are prepared by the steps comprising comingling a solution containing copper and nickel cations with another solution containing silicate anions and coprecipitating the copper, nickel and silicate ions in an aqueous solution onto solid carrier particles. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation processes.