Promoting effect of Ni in semi-hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene over Ni-Pd catalysts

Catalytic behaviour of Pd 2 Ni 50 Nb 48 amorphous ribbon and Pd-Ni/SiO 2 catalysts has been investigated in hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene. Pd-Ni/SiO 2 catalysts were prepared using vapor phase adsorption and decompostion, of Pd(acac) 2 over Ni/SiO 2 and Ni(CO) 4 over Pd/SiO 2 . Presence of Ni has been observed to increase the selectivity of competitive hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene in propene or 1-butene. The high selectivity of Pd-Ni in competitive hydrogenation has been interpreted by geometric effects caused by dilution of Pd with Ni and and partial poisoning of Pd-Ni ensembles by firmly held adspecies.