Structured Pd–Au/Cu-fiber catalyst for gas-phase hydrogenolysis of dimethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol

Abstract

Galvanic co-deposition of 0.5 wt% Au and 0.1 wt% Pd on a microfibrous-structure using 8 μm Cu-fibers delivers a Pd–Au/Cu-fiber catalyst, which is highly active, selective and stable for the hydrogenolysis of dimethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol. Au and Pd synergistically promote the hydrogenolysis activity of Cu⁺ sites, while Au also critically stabilizes Cu⁺ sites to prevent deep reductive deactivation.