HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS OF THE WATER-GAS SHIFT REACTION BY COPPER-COMPLEXES IN AQUEOUS SUBSTITUTED PYRIDINE SOLUTIONS

Homogeneous catalysis of the water-gas shift reaction has been accompl ished by the use of solutions of CuCl2 . 2H(2)O in aqueous pyridine an d other substituted pyridine (methyl pyridines or dimethylpyridine) so lutions. This system is stable, low active catalyst displaying turnove r frequencies for hydrogen production (TF(H-2)) of about 6 moles H-2 p er mole Cu per day for [Cu] = 20 mM, P(CO)= 1.9 atm and T = 120 degree s. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.