Pd–Cu catalyst prepared from heterobimetallic PdCu2(OAc)6: an XRD-EXAFS study and activity/selectivity in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of a C≡C bond

The formation of a PdCu alloy with an fcc structure in 1% Pd–1.2% Cu 2 /Al 2 O 3 (as evidenced by XRD and EXAFS data) significantly improves catalyst selectivity in the semihydrogenation of internal and terminal alkynes, which makes 1% Pd–1.2% Cu 2 /Al 2 O 3 a promising alternative to the commercial Lindlar catalyst.