Process for the selective hydrogenation of polyunsaturated hydrocarbons

Abstract

A process for the selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons having three and more carbon atoms and several double bonds or with triple bonds in monoene-containing hydrocarbon mixtures is described. These compounds are selectively hydrogenated to monoenes in a practically quantitative fashion. Before beginning the hydrogenation, a small amount of carbon monoxide and once to twice the stoichiometric quantity of hydrogen are homogeneously dissolved in the hydrocarbon mixture. The mixture is hydrogenated as a homogeneous liquid phase on a fixed palladium catalyst under a moderately high pressure and at a moderately high temperature. No isomerization can be found in the monoenes and no side reactions or secondary reactions occur.