Influence of rhodium content on the behavior of Rh/SiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 catalysts for selective ring opening of decalin

International audienceThe influence of the Rh content of catalysts supported on SiO2–Al2O3(SIRAL 70 and 80, with 70 and 80 wt%of SiO2) on the activity and selectivity for selective ring opening of decalin was studied at 325 and 350C. Anoptimum metal content was found at 1.5 wt% of rhodium. Both supports present moderate and strong acidsites. For the selective opening of decalin, the best metal/support combination was found with Rh(1.5)/SIRAL 70 balancing the support acidity together with the hydrogenolytic activity of the metal. A linearcorrelation was established between the amount of coke deposited and the formation ofdehydrogenated compounds