Pd and Ag containing catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene

摘要

A catalyst composition comprising palladium, silver and a support material (preferably alumina) is contacted at a relatively low temperature (of up to about 60 DEG C) with a liquid composition comprising an effective reducing agent (preferably an alkali metal borohydride, hydrazine, formaldehyde, formic acid, ascorbic acid, dextrose, aluminum powder). Preferably, at least one alkali metal compound (more preferably KOH, RbOH, CsOH, KF) is also present in the liquid composition. An improved process for selectively hydrogenating acetylene (to ethylene) employs this wet-reduced catalyst composition.