Methanol dehydrogenation over Cu/SiO2 catalysts

Methanol dehydrogenation was carried out over impregnated Cu/SiO2 catalysts. It was found that the temperature of the catalyst's preliminary reduction by hydrogen could play a dramatic role. The interaction of copper ions with silica during the reduction at >= 300 degrees C was observed. Metallic copper species obtained at low reduction temperature were found to be responsible for the methyl formate formation. The catalysts containing copper