Hydrogenation of hexanoic acid with different catalysts

Hexanoic (or caproic) acid was hydrogenated, using three different catalysts. Copper chromite was used at different temperatures, and partially with added water. Nickel and platinum catalysts were investigated for comparison. Programs for thermodynamics and kinetic calculations were developed, which allowed a detailed evaluation. With copper chromite ester, small amounts of alcohol and hexane are formed directly. Alcohol is mainly formed via the ester by hydrolysis; its amount cannot be increased by addition of water. Ni and Pt catalysts are more active, which leads to direct formation also of alcohol and undecane.