Hydrogenation of succinic acid to tetrahydrofuran over ruthenium-carbon composite catalysts: Effect of HCl concentration in the preparation of the catalysts

Ruthenium-carbon composite (Ru-C-X) catalysts were prepared by a single-step surfactant-templating method at different HCl concentration (X = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 M) to control morphology of Ru-C-X catalysts, i.e., to control ruthenium dispersion. They were then applied to the liquid-phase hydrogenation of succinic acid to tetrahydrofuran (THF). Ru-C-X catalysts showed different ruthenium particle size depending on HCl concentration. In the reaction, yield for THF increased with decreasing average ruthenium particle size of the catalysts. Ruthenium particle size served as an important factor determining the catalytic performance of Ru-C-X in the hydrogenation of succinic acid to THF.