Liquid-phase hydrogenation of citral over an immobile silica fibre catalyst

A new knitted silica fibre catalyst was introduced into liquid-phase hydrogenation of organic compounds. The fibre catalyst combines the advantages of catalyst slurries and large catalyst particles: diffusional limitations are suppressed and the catalyst is immobile. Nickel-impregnated silica fibres were used in the hydrogenation of citral to citronellal and citronellol in a tubular glass reactor where the catalyst was packed in two layers. The liquid phase was recirculated while the gas phase was flowing concurrently through the reactor to the vent. The highest selectivities to the desired product, citronellol, exceeded 90%. The catalyst performance was competitive with a conventional crushed nickel catalyst.