Tailoring the catalytic activity of basic mesoporous Cu/CeO2 catalyst by Al2O3 for selective lactonization and dehydrogenation of 1,4-butanediol to γ-butyrolactone

Mesoporous copper based ceria-alumina catalysts prepared by wet impregnation method were used for dehydrogenation of 1,4-butanediol to gamma-butyrolactone. The reaction was carried out under vapour phase conditions in the temperature range of 240-300 degrees C. The better activity results observed using 10 wt% copper supported over ceria-alumina (75:25) catalyst wherein 1,4-butanediol showed a conversion of 100% and selectivity towards gamma-butyrolactone was 99% at 240 degrees C. The activity was due to synergistic effect of alumina and ceria support along with the presence of highly basic sites and other physico-chemical properties. In terms of stability, the catalyst is stable activity upto 24 h.