Chemoselective vapor-phase hydrogenation of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one over Cu/SiO2 catalyst prepared by organic additive-assisted impregnation.

Silica-supported Cu (Cu/SiO₂) catalyst prepared by using organic additive-assisted impregnation was employed for the chemoselective hydrogenation of a C=O bond in 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (1) to produce 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol (2) in a vapor phase at a temperature between 140 and 200 °C and an ambient pressure of H2 flow. The Cu was responsible for the selectivity to 2, and the organic additive increased the Cu surface area (SA_Cu), which consecutively enhanced the performance of the Cu/SiO₂ catalyst. The proportional correlation between the SA_Cu and the formation rate of 2 further confirmed the benefits of the utilization of organic additives during the impregnation protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]