Chemoselective Hydrogenolysis of Tetrahydropyran-2-methanol to 1,6-Hexanediol over Rhenium-Modified Carbon-Supported Rhodium Catalysts

Modification of Rh/C with Re species enabled chemoselective hydrogenolysis of tetrahydropyran-2-methanol to 1,6-hexanediol. In particular, the Rh-ReOx/C (Re/Rh ratio=0.25) catalyst gave a high yield of 1,6-hexanediol (84%) and showed a very low activity for overhydrogenolysis to 1-hexanol. Using the same catalyst in the hydrogenolysis of tetrahydrofurfuryl alco-hol also gave a high yield of 1,5-pentanediol (94%). Characterization results indicate the formation of ReOx clusters attached on the surface of Rh metal particles. This can cause the synergy between ReOx, and Rh, and the tetrahydropyran-2-methanol hydrogenolysis proceeds on the interface between Rh metal surface and attached ReOx, species.