Investigation of Activated-Carbon-Supported Copper Catalysts with Unique Catalytic Performance in the Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Oxalate to Methyl Glycolate

Copper-based activated-carbon (AC)-supported catalysts were synthesized by a facile ammonia evaporation-impregnation method. Unlike the conventional Cu/SiO2 catalyst, which showed highly catalytic selectivity towards ethylene glycol (EG) or EtOH, Cu/AC catalysts display unique selectivity to methyl glycolate (MG). The catalytic performance relies on the high content of surface Cu+ species and the relatively large copper particles with moderate hydrogenation activity.