Non‐Mercury Catalytic Acetylene Hydration over Bimetallic Cu–Zn Catalysts for Acetaldehyde Production in Gas‐Liquid System

Abstract

The reactivity of several Cu‐based bimetallic catalysts toward acetylene hydration for acetaldehyde production in gas‐liquid system was investigated. The addition of ZnCl2 obviously increased the activity of the catalyst with minimal effect on selectivity. The best catalytic conditions achieved a 47.55% conversion of acetylene with an acetaldehyde selectivity of 87.75%. The addition of ZnCl2 was found to stabilize the catalytically active Cu+ species and inhibit the reduction of Cu+ to Cu0 during acetylene hydration. Characterizations based on X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy were performed, confirming the role of ZnCl2 on the enhanced activity of the Cu‐based catalysts.