Ester Reduction with H ₂ on Bifunctional Metal‐Acid Catalysts: Implications of Metal Identity on Rates and Selectivities

Esters reduce to form ethers and alcohols on contact with metal nanoparticles supported Brønsted acidic faujasite (M-FAU) that cleave C−O bonds by hydrogenation hydrogenolysis pathways. Rates selectivities for each pathway depend the identity (M=Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt). Pt-FAU gives propyl acetate consumption rates up 100 times greater than other M-FAU catalysts provides an ethyl ether selectivity of 34 %. Measured formation rates, kinetic isotope effects, site titrations suggest ester reduction involves a bifunctional mechanism implicates stepwise addition H* atoms carbonyl hemiacetals sites, followed hemiacetal diffusion nearby acid dehydrate or decompose alcohol aldehyde. The appear be determined cleavage hemiacetal.