Process and catalyst for preparing alcohols

摘要

Production of alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carboxylic acids or esters comprises using a catalyst that comprises (in nonreduced form) 20-80 wt.% copper oxide (CuO), 10-80 wt.% zinc oxide and 1-50 wt.% alumina and has a pore size distribution such that 5-15% of the total pore volume is in pores of diameter less than 150 A and 80-95% is in pores of diameter greater than 250 A. An Independent claim is also included for a catalyst as above for production of alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carboxylic acids or esters.