Styrene oxide hydrogenation reaction using Pt/TiO₂-ZrO₂-supported catalysts for 2-phenylethanol production

This work reports the preparation of Pt/TiO₂-ZrO₂-supported catalysts and their application in the catalytic hydrogenation of styrene oxide as a new alternative method for obtaining 2-phenylethanol. The TiO₂-ZrO₂ catalytic support was prepared using the sol-gel procedure with subsequent impregnation with a solution of chloroplatinic acid to obtain 1%, 2%, and 3% molar percentages of platinum and then calcinated at 400 °C. N₂ adsorption-desorption, x-ray diffraction, FTIR and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies, were used to characterize the catalysts. FTIR-Pyridine adsorption and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia methods were performed to determine the surface acidity. The surface area of the catalysts decreased slightly due to the addition of platinum, and all catalysts showed mostly the anatase crystalline phase. The catalysts consisted of nanoparticle agglomerates. 2-Phenylethanol and 2-phenylacetaldehyde were the reaction products. High selectivity to 2-phenylethanol was achieved using the 1%Pt/TiO₂-ZrO₂ catalyst that contained less platinum and 60 °C as the ideal temperature.