The Interaction of Hydrogen with Silver Catalysts

Introduction Within the framework of SPP1091 „Bridging the Pressure and Material GAP" (DFG) we are studying the selective hydrogenation of acrolein over silver catalysts. Using this catalyst system, it is possible to achieve a high selectivity towards the desired product, allyl alcohol, by selective hydrogenation of the C=O-group of acrolein. However, theoretical calculations as well as TAP experiments prove, that pure silver shows only a very weak interaction with hydrogen. Therefore, the question arises, why silver catalysts are able to hydrogenate at all