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.