Recent Advances in Metal–Zeolite Catalysts for Ethanol to 1,3-Butadiene Conversion: Active Metal Sites, Mechanisms, and Future Challenges

The catalytic upgrading of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene (1,3-BD) (ETB) plays a pivotal role in developing renewable industrial technologies. This process has the promising potential to replace the 1,3-BD traditional production technology, which relies on fossil energy, such as naphtha cracking byproducts for ethylene production. The utilization of metal–zeolite catalysts has significantly enhanced catalytic performance; however, a comprehensive review of the progress made in this field is still lacking. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in catalytic performance achieved by employing various metal components supported on silicon-based catalysts through diverse design strategies. Furthermore, the structure–activity relationships of the catalysts, identification of active sites, and the corresponding reaction mechanisms are comprehensively demonstrated. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future research avenues for designing high-performance catalysts to improve the prospects for the industrial application of ETB.