SELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OVER RUTHENIUM CATALYSTS

Ruthenium catalysts are widely used for selective hydrogenation of a c arbonyl group in the vicinity of conjugated or isolated double bonds. The alpha,beta-unsaturated alcohols prepared in this way are compounds of great commercial importance. The effects of promoters, particle si ze and supports on such reactions are discussed. Ruthenium catalysts h ave also been applied in partial hydrogenation of aromatic compounds t o the corresponding cycloalkenes. The effects of inorganic and organic modifiers on the course of the reactions together with a description of the action of catalysts prepared by the sol-gel method are given.