INFLUENCE OF METAL-PARTICLE SIZE IN THE HYDROGENATION OF CITRAL OVER RU C/

Selective hydrogenation of citral has been studied under mild conditio ns over Ru catalysts supported on activated carbon. Geraniol, nerol, c itronellal and isopulegol were the main reaction products. Isopulegol is obtained by isomerization of citronellal. Small amounts of citronel lol are formed through the hydrogenation of citronellal. The specific catalytic activity per Ru surface atom as well as the products distrib ution remains constant with changing metal particle size. A comparison with results obtained on the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde on the s ame Ru/C catalysts is reported.