Aqueous-Phase Hydrogenation of Biomass-Based Succinic Acid to 1,4-Butanediol Over Supported Bimetallic Catalysts

The effect of addition of Re to activated carbon-supported Ru and Pd catalysts in the hydrogenation of 15 wt% succinic acid aqueous solutions to 1,4-butanediol (BDO) was examined. The yield and selectivity were in the range 62-66% at 160 A degrees C and 150 bar over the Re promoted catalysts. Bio-succinic acid from a fermentation process could be efficiently hydrogenated on 4 wt%Re-2 wt%Pd/C without significant loss of selectivity.