Patent ID: 6054627
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A process for hydrogenating carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid esters comprising contacting the acids or esters with hydrogen and a catalyst under catalytic conditions, wherein the catalyst is comprised of oxides of copper or zinc and at least one additional metal and the catalyst is prepared by the steps comprising(A) simultaneously and separately adding to a first vessel, (1) a first aqueous solution comprising a copper or zinc salt; and (2) a second aqueous solution comprising a soluble base, provided that either the first or second solutions also contains a soluble salt of at least one second metal; or (3) a third aqueous solution comprising a soluble salt of at least one second metal is added simultaneously to the first vessel, whereby an aqueous slurry of an insoluble solid is formed in the first vessel, provided further that the second metal is chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, or vanadium;(B) advancing at least a portion of the aqueous slurry from the first vessel to a second vessel;(C) recovering the solids from the aqueous slurry in the second vessel; and(D) calcium the recovered solids, wherein the average particle diameter of the calcined solids is from about 6 to 20 microns; the particle surface area is from about 20 to about 70 m.sup.2 /g; the pore volume of pores having diameters in the range up to 120 .ANG. is from about 5 to 45%, in the range of about 120 to about 350 .ANG. is from about 40 to about 80%, and in the range of about 350 to about 1000 .ANG. is from about 10 to about 40% of the total pore volume.