Manipulation of the selectivity of rhodium by the use of supports and promoters

Abstract

An attempt is made to classify the promotion effects in catalysis by metals. The example of rhodium catalysts is used to show how the selectivity can be manipulated by using supports and promoters. The results presented demonstrate how the promoter can be created from the support during the impregnation process. In syngas reactions the main function of the promoter thus formed, or of a promoter added to the metal carried by an inert support, is to activate CO for insertion and/or to stabilize intermediates formed by this insertion.