Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde on Pt and Pt-Fe Catalysts Supported on Zeolite P

Pt– and Pt–Fe based catalysts on zeolite P (ZP) support have been prepared and widely characterized by surface area and porosity, XRD, SEM, TEM, TPR, in order to investigate their morphological and microstructural properties. The catalysts have been tested in the selective liquid-phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. Kinetic tests have shown the beneficial effect of Fe promoter on the catalysts behaviour towards the selective formation of cinnamyl alcohol (85% selectivity to 90% conversion). The ZP supported catalysts have been compared with a catalyst supported on P-zeolitized Fe containing pumice (Z-PM), confirming the role of Fe Lewis acid site in promoting the reactivity of zeolite P-based materials.