Heteroatom Promoted Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts for Highly Efficient Hydrogenation of 1,4‐Butynediol to 1,4‐Butenediol

Abstract A series of nickel‐based catalysts were prepared by solution combustion synthesis (SCS), using Ce, Ag, Mo, Fe, or Co as a promoter, and applied for efficient and selective hydrogenation of 1,4‐butynediol (BYD) to 1,4‐butenediol (BED). It was found that each catalyst containing promoter had higher conversion of BYD and higher selectivity of BED than that of pristine Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. Among as‐prepared catalysts, Ni−Fe/Al 2 O 3 exhibited the highest activity and stability toward selective hydrogenation of BYD to BED. Results revealed that the improved catalytic performance of Ni−Fe/Al 2 O 3 over those of Ni/Al 2 O 3 could be ascribed to the varied metal‐support interaction and active site dispersion, as well as the formation of Ni−Fe taenite. DFT calculations further demonstrated that the introduction of Fe regulated the adsorption strength of BYD and H on the surface of the catalyst, thus improving the catalytic hydrogenation activity of BYD.