Sol-gel processing of copper-chromium catalysts for ester hydrogenation

Copper chromite catalysts were prepared by using a new metal organic precursor, M(OR)_n, which was dissolved in organic solvent, hydrolysed and condensed to form inorganic polymers containing M-O-M linkages. In the cases of Ba and Mn promotion, the corresponding metal oxide was admixed to the copper-chromium solution prior to gelification. After drying in helium atmosphere, the precursor was subjected to thermal treatment at different temperatures (373-873 K) and in ditrerent atmospheres (air, nitrogen or hydrogen). Both the catalysts and the industrial Engelhard catalyst were characterized by various techniques (TG-DTA, HTXRD, IR, BET, metallic copper surface area and porosimetry measurements) and evaluated for ester hydrogenation.