Selective hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to γ-butyrolactone over Pd/Al2O3 catalyst using supercritical CO2 as solvent

Abstract

A selective hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to either γ-butyrolactone or succinic anhydride over simple Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst under supercritical CO₂ medium is described for the first time which has considerable promise for both lab-scale as well as industrial selective hydrogenations of low vapor pressure compounds without employing environmentally harmful organic solvents.