Effect of the nature of the carrier and reduction conditions on the properties of rhenium catalysts of hydrogenation of ethyl acetate

1.	It was shown that the activity of 0.5% Re/-, -, -, and -Al2O3 catalysts in the reaction of hydrogenation of ethyl acetate into ethanol is a function of the nature of the carrier and reduction conditions to a smaller degree than in the side reactions of formation of diethyl ether and hydrocarbons. Re/-Al2O3 exhibits the maximum activity and Re/-Al2O3 exhibits the maximum selectivity.
2.	It was found that diethyl ether is only formed on Re/- and -Al2O3 catalysts. Preliminary treatment of these samples with H2 at 500°C insignificantly decreases the yield of ethanol, increases the yield of diethyl ether, and almost totally suppresses the side reaction of hydrogenolysis of the alcohol into hydrocarbons.
3.	Kinetic data were obtained which confirm the possibility of formation of diethyl ether directly from ethyl acetate, by-passing the stage of formation and desorption of ethanol.

Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, 22–27, January, 1988.