Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde using palladium based bimetallic catalysts Pd-M/TiO2 (M=Cu, Ag and Au)

Pd based bimetallic catalysts, Pd-M, (M=Cu, Ag, and Au) supported on TiO2 P-25, have been prepared by chemical reduction with glucose and characterized by XRD, TEM, XPS, DRS, TPR and H2TPD. Activity for the conversion of cirmamaldehyde (CAL) and selectivity to hydro-cinnamaldehyde (HCAL), cirmamyl alcohol (COL) and hydrocinnamyl alcohol (HCOL) have been evaluated in the temperature range of 120-140 degrees C for 1 h and 10 bar hydrogen pressure. For comparison, monometallic Cu, Ag and Au (1% w/w in each case) catalysts supported on TiO2 P-25 have been prepared and evaluated. DRS and XPS studies reveal nanoscale alloy formation and re-distribution of charges in bimetallic catalysts. Bimetallic Pd-Cu displays higher CAL conversion compared to Pd-Ag and Pd-Au. Besides the favourable electronic and ensemble effects, availability of reactive hydrogen on Pd-Cu, as revealed by the lowest hydrogen desorption temperature, is an additional factor that contributes towards the higher activity of Pd-Cu. Bimetallic catalysts are stable up to five reaction cycles, without any loss of Pd or structural integrity.