Selective Hydrogenation of Biomass-Derived Succinic Acid: Reaction Network and Kinetics

The conversion of bio-based succinic acid (SA) to the value-added chemicals 1,4-butanediol (BDO), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) can replace the corresponding petrochemical production routes to achieve a sustainable process. The reaction network for aqueous-phase catalytic hydrogenation of succinic acid over a supported Re-Pd catalyst was identified and the reaction kinetics was determined. With the developed kinetic model, the composition of the product mixture regarding the desired products (BDO, GBL, THF) can be described as a function of educt concentration, temperature, and pressure. The maximum BDO yield was achieved at high pressure and low temperature, while low pressure and high temperature favored GBL and THF production.