Crotonaldehyde and methylcrotonaldehyde hydrogenation over Pt(111) and Pt80Fe20(111) single crystals

Abstract Hydrogenation reactions of crotonaldehyde and methylcrotonaldehyde have been carried out on Pt(111) and Pt 80 Fe 20 (111) single crystals. The reactions have been performed in the gaseous phase with a large excess of hydrogen. A noticeable enhancement of activity has been observed by alloying the platinum with iron. The additional methyl group present in the methylcrotonaldehyde greatly increases the selectivity toward formation of the unsaturated alcohol, while only a slight increase of such selectivity is induced by alloying. The results have been compared with the previous experimental results on crotonaldehyde hydrogenation on Pt/SiO 2 catalysts and cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation on Pt and Pt 80 Fe 20 particles supported on carbon.