Cobalt catalyst compositions useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions

Abstract

A catalyst precursor comprising a composite of a solids support, or powder component, and a compound or salt of a metal, or metals component, inclusive of cobalt, is upon reduction rendered catalytically active for conducting hydrogenation reactions, especially carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions by contact at low temperature with liquid water, or steam, or a mixture of liquid water and steam, sufficient to oxidize and convert the metal, or metals component of the catalyst precursor to a metal hydroxide, low oxygen-containing metal oxide, or mixture of metal hydroxide and low oxygen-containing metal oxide. On reduction, as may be produced by contact and treatment of the oxidized catalyst precursor with hydrogen, the now well dispersed oxide or hydroxylated catalytic metal, or metals component of the catalyst, is reduced to metallic metal, e.g., Co, and the catalyst thereby activated.