To provide a process and a catalyst for maximizing the formation of 1,4-butanediol and minimizing the formation of γ-butyrolactone.
The process for producing tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-butanediol includes a step for catalytically hydrogenating a precursor that can be hydrogenated by bringing it into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas and a hydrogenation catalyst to obtain a product containing most of 1,4-butanediol. The hydrogenation catalyst is prepared in a process comprising (i) a step for impregnating a carrier carbon with a source such as palladium in 1 or more impregnation steps including a step for bringing the carrier carbon into contact with the source such as palladium, wherein the palladium and the like are present in at least 1 solution; (ii) a step for drying the impregnated carrier carbon in order to remove a solvent after each impregnation step; and (iii) a step for heating the impregnated carrier carbon at about 100°C to about 350°C under a reductive condition.
THOMAS G ATTIG
PEDERSEN S ERIK
Takaaki Yasumura
Natsuki Morishita