Generation of highly dispersed Cu nanoparticles on SiO2 support using impregnation protocol assisted with sugar alcohol for selective vapor-phase hydrogenation of citral

Abstract The impregnation protocol, assisted with sugar alcohol such as sorbitol, effectively generated SiO2-supported Cu (Cu/SiO2) containing highly dispersed Cu nanoparticles, i.e. high Cu surface area. The resulting Cu/SiO2 catalyst efficiently hydrogenated citral to citronellol, which proceeded mainly through citronellal formation. The sugar alcohols used in the impregnation generated small-size Cu precursors, and the small size was maintained even after calcination and reduction protocol. The Cu/SiO2 catalyst prepared with sugar alcohol also exhibited high stability at a prolonged time on stream.