Hydrochlorination of acetylene catalyzed by an activated carbon supported chlorotriphenylphosphine gold complex

Abstract

A chlorotriphenylphosphine gold (AuPPh₃Cl) complex was successfully prepared using chloroauric acid and triphenylphosphine (TPP) and was used as a catalyst precursor in the preparation process of a Au-based catalyst. The AuPPh₃Cl/AC catalyst was prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method and its catalytic performance was evaluated in acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. Simultaneously, the AuPPh₃Cl/AC catalyst was characterized by BET, TG, XRD, TEM, XPS, ICP, TPR and TPD techniques. The catalytic test result shows that the AuPPh₃Cl/AC catalyst exhibits superior activity and stability with an acetylene conversion of 85% after 200 h of reaction under the conditions of 170 °C and an acetylene gas hourly space velocity of 360 h⁻¹. The characterization results show that the presence of TPP can enhance the stability of Au⁺ and inhibit the reduction of Au³⁺ or Au⁺ species to Au⁰ species. In addition, the interaction between Au and TPP ligand can reduce the loss of Au species and inhibit the agglomeration of gold particles, thereby improving the catalytic activity and stability.