| A system made by combining two non-alloying metals, ruthenium and copper, using alumina as the oxide support was studied. This bimetallic supported catalyst has been used mainly in hydrogenolysis, dehydrogenation and oxidation reactions of hydrocarbons. The preparation of such materials was to effect the selectivity and activity of a highly active metal by inclusion of a second less active metal. The samples were characterized by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectrometry (EPR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Surface Area(BET), and Surface Acidities(Hammett Function:H;A second reaction was performed to study the copper part of the catalyst and study the effects of the ruthenium on the copper. The primary reaction involved was the hydrogenation of an aldehyde to the corresponding alcohol. A secondary reaction occurred which was somewhat of a surprise but an interesting and important reaction. The acid catalyzed, substitution, bimolecular dehydration of the alcohol to the dibutyl ether. The interesting part was these catalysts were acting as acid catalysts which is uncommon for the later transition metals. Therefore this reaction was one of importance because the acid catalyzed product was dibutyl ether. Ethers are important today as they could be the new fuels of the future. A correlation between the electronic, structural and catalytic properties has been made. A correlation of molecular processes to catalytic phenomena has yield a better understanding of the catalytic site. |
