COPPER ON SILICA GEL HYDROGENATION CATALYST

摘要

A hydrogenation catalyst composition useful for the hydrogenation of an oxalate diester, said composition being composed of a reduction product of a copper-containing silica gel formed by contacting an amine complex of copper with silica gel having an average particle diameter of not more than 200 mu and a process for producing the aforesaid composition. Using a catalyst composed of the aforesaid composition, ethylene glycol and/or a glycolic acid ester can be produced from an oxalate diester efficiently with high conversions and selectivities and without causing pollution attributed to the use of a chromium-containing catalyst composition.