Enhancement of reaction rates for catalytic benzaldehyde hydrogenation and sorbitol dehydration in water solvent by addition of carbon dioxide

The effect of pressured carbon dioxide on heterogeneous hydrogenation of benzaldehyde and homogeneous dehydration of sorbitol in water solvent was studied. Initial hydrogenation rates of benzaldehyde over a charcoal-supported palladium catalyst in water at 313 K were enhanced by the addition of carbon dioxide. The initial rate increased with an increase in carbon dioxide pressure and became a maximum at 5 MPa. Dehydration of sorbitol proceeded in water phase at 500 K and initial dehydration rates were enhanced by addition of 30 MPa of carbon dioxide.