Hydrogenation of carboxylic acids by rhenium-osmium bimetallic catalyst

Hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohols at low temperature and under low pressure was achieved by using a new catalyst system, a rhenium-osmium bimetallic catalyst. The most active catalyst was prepared by the reductionof the corresponding metal oxides with hydrogen in the presence of succinic acid. Decanoic acid was hydrogenated to decanol in high conversions at 25∼100 atm and 100∼120°C. Decane was formed as a by-product by overreduction of the alcohol. The selectivity of alcohol was improved by the addition of thiophene as a modifier of the catalyst.