Solvent-Reactant-Support interactions in liquid-phase hydrogenation II. Supported metal catalysts modified by a liquid film

The effect of impregnating metal on carbon catalysts with liquid films, immiscible with the bulk solvent, on rate and selectivity in liquid-phase hydrogenations has been investigated. Both acid and alkaline films have been used with benzene and phenol as the reactant. The bifunctional character of such catalysts has been demonstrated and a substantial improvement in selectivity for the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone has been achieved. The factors contributing to the observed phenomena in such multiphase catalytic reactions are discussed.