INFLUENCE OF METAL-PARTICLE SIZE IN THE HYDROGENATION OF CITRAL OVER RU/C

Selective hydrogenation of citral has been studied under mild conditions over Ru catalysts supported on activated carbon. Geraniol, nerol, citronellal and isopulegol were the main reaction products. Isopulegol is obtained by isomerization of citronellal. Small amounts of citronellol are formed through the hydrogenation of citronellal. The specific catalytic activity per Ru surface atom as well as the products distribution remains constant with changing metal particle size. A comparison with results obtained on the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde on the same Ru/C catalysts is reported.