Synergetic effect of Cu and pentacoordinate Al3+ sites: Direct synthesis of ethyl ethoxyacetate via hydrogenation of diethyl oxalate

A novel Cu/Al2O3 catalyst is prepared and a distinguished product ethyl ethoxyacetate (EEA) is obtained from diethyl oxalate hydrogenation. Meantime, the traditional product like ethylene glycol is avoided. Furthermore, the EEA yield can be controlled by regulating the amount of pentahedrally coordinated Al3+ ions via varying either complex agent or calcination temperature. As a result, the selectivity to EEA achieves a maximum of ca. 60 wt% due to the synergism between the surface medium acidic sites derived from pentahedral coordinated Al3+ cations and active copper sites. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.