The hydrogenation of maleic anhydride (MA) is economically favored process to produce succinic anhydride (SA). Two hydrogenation pathways of MA to synthesis SA were investigated and compared. Homogeneous hydrogenation of MA to SA using Rh catalysts yielded high conversion of MA (99%) and high selectivity of SA (99%). Reaction was performed in 50 ml high pressure stirred autoclave under H2 pressure 1.5�2.5 MPa at  350�380 K for 4-6h using RhCl(PPh3)3 and PPh3 as catalyst and ethylene glycol dimethylether as solvent. Heterogeneous hydrogenation of MA in ethylene glycol dimethylether catalyzed by Ni/Sn/SiO2 or Ni/Sn/Al2O3 (1-2 wt.% Ni, 0.5 wt.% Sn) was carried out in autoclave under H2 pressure 0.5�1.0 MPa at  360�380 K for 2-8h. Heterogeneous hydrogenation yielded 98% conversion of MA, the product mixture consists of 85-95 % SA, 3-13 % gamma-butyrolactone and less than 2% unreacted MA.

Comparing homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrogenation pathways of maleic anhydride to prepare succinic anhydride

244th National Meeting (2012)

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