| abstract |
A catalyst composition is provided which can be used for hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon such as an alkyne or a diolefin. The catalyst composition contains palladium, a catalyst component of either silver or an alkali metal compound, or both silver and an alkali metal compound, and a metal aluminate catalyst support. Such metal aluminate catalyst support is prepared by a process of incorporating alumina with a metal component, preferably impregnating alumina with a melted metal component, to thereby provide a metal-incorporated alumina followed by drying and high temperature calcining to thereby provide a metal aluminate catalyst support. The catalyst composition disclosed can be used for hydrogenating a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to a less unsaturated hydrocarbon. The process involves contacting a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon with a catalyst composition in the presence of hydrogen under a hydrogenation condition sufficient to effect a hydrogenation of the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon. |