Synthesis of C 4 Olefins from Acetylene over Supported Copper Catalysts

Conversion of acetylene to C 4 olefins enables on‐purpose synthesis of C 4 olefins using abundant natural gas resource due to acetylene can be synthesized from methane or ethane. In this study, Cu‐based catalysts supported on SiO 2 , ZSM‐5 and mordenite (MOR) were tested for acetylene hydrodimerization. Effect of promoters including Ru, Ga, Ag and Pd on the acetylene conversion and C 4 olefins selectivity are investigated. The structures of these catalysts were characterized by TEM, XRD, BET, H 2 ‐TPR, NH 3 ‐TPD and XPS measurements. Results showed that temperature, pressure and hydrogen partial pressure had positive effect on acetylene conversion. In the presence of Ru promotor, 100 % acetylene conversion and 87 % selectivity to C 4 olefins were achieved over Cu/MOR catalyst under conditions of 0.1 MPa and 200 °C. The mechanistic aspect of acetylene hydrodimerization was elucidated where the C 4 intermediate was formed by the reaction between [Cu]−C 2 H 2 π‐complex and [Cu]−C 2 H 2 σ‐complex which were transformed to 1,3‐butadiene and butene.