| abstract |
Hydrogenation processes utilizing improved Raney nickel alloy catalysts are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a monolithic mesh type structure of a nickel alloy having an integral Beta phase Raney NixM1-x coating on its outer surfaces, where M is a catalytic activator selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, ruthenium, tantalum and titanium and where x, the weight fraction of nickel in the combined alloy, is between about 0.80 and about 0.95. The catalyst is effective in processes for hydrogenation of aromatic compounds of the type <IMAGE> wherein K is either benzene or naphthalene, R1 is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic chain containing from about 1 to about 9 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical, R2 is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic chain containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are hydrogen atoms, hydroxy, or nitro groups. When this catalyst is used, substantially higher reactant flow rates and lower operating temperatures are possible as compared to conventional fluidized bed granular catalysts. |