CHEMICALLY ACTIVATED RUTHENIUM MONO(BIPYRIDINE) SIO2 CATALYSTS IN WATER-GAS SHIFT REACTION/

Chemical activation of supported ruthenium mono(bipyridine) carbonyls was found to be an effective route to highly active water-gas shift ca talysts. Catalysts were activated by treating silica supported [Ru(bpy )(CO)(2)Cl-2], [Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)ClH], [Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl(C(O)OCH3)] or [{ Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl}(2)] with dilute NaOH or KOH solution. Ruthenium mono (bipyridine) carbonyls were deposited onto the support by impregnation from organic solvent or by pulse impregnation technique. In a typical experiment, catalysts achieved the final activity during WGS reaction . This induction period could be reduced by carrying out the hydroxide treatment under CO atmosphere. Catalytic activity was tested in the c ontinuous flow WGS reaction at the temperature range 100-170 degrees C . The non-activated supported complexes showed at most moderate activi ty. Chemical treatment with NaOH or KOH solution increased the turnove r frequency at the whole temperature range. The highest activities wer e obtained with NaOH treated [{Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl}(2)]/SiO2, which gave turnover frequencies as high as 14500 (mol CO2 (Ru mol)(-1) (24 h)(-1) ) at 150 degrees C. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .