SELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF TOLUENE OVER RUTHENIUM CATALYSTS PREPARED BY THE SOL-GEL METHOD

A group of ruthenium supported catalysts (silica or silica-active char coal supports) were prepared by the sol-gel method with the aim of obt aining high yields of methylcyclohexene in hydrogenation of toluene. T he catalysts differed in composition and in conditions of reduction of their precursors. It was found that the hydrogenation could proceed a s a consecutive reaction and that this pathway was accompanied by a pa rallel direct formation of methylcyclohexane from toluene. A positive role of water in a reaction mixture in view of an increased methylcycl ohexene yield was also shown.