Method for hydrogenating aqueous solutions of carbohydrates

摘要

Zerovalent Group VIII metals dispersed on titanium dioxide reduced and calcined at a temperature less than about 300 DEG C. are hydrothermally stable hydrogenation catalysts which may be used advantageously in the reduction of aqueous solutions of carbohydrates. The use of ruthenium on titanium dioxide in the hydrogenation of glucose affords sorbitol in excellent yields with quite high selectivity.