PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound economically in high yield and selectivity, by hydrogenating maleic acid, succinic acid and/or their anhydride in the presence of a solid catalyst having catalytic activity improved by the addition of niobium to catalyst components consisting of palladium and cobalt.
CONSTITUTION: γ-Butyrolactone and/or tetrahydrofuran are produced by hydrogenating maleic acid, succinic acid and/or their anhydride in the presence of a solid catalyst containing preferably 0.5W5.5wt% palladium, 5W50wt% cobalt and remaining part of niobium as the catalyst component. The use of the catalyst is effective in improving the selectivity and yield of the objective compound suppressing the dissolution of Pd and Co used as the catalytic components, thereby preventing the lowering of catalytic activity with time and the complication of separation and purification procedures caused by the contamination with the catalytic components.
USHIKUBO TAKASHI
MORI TOMOYUKI
