Selective hydrogenation of higher saturated carboxylic acids to alcohols using a ReOx–Pd/SiO2 catalyst

Higher fatty alcohols were synthesized in high yield (>92%) by direct hydrogenation of fatty acids catalyzed by ReOx–Pd/SiO2. High catalytic performance of ReOx–Pd/SiO2 can be generated by the synergy between ReOx and Pd. Preferential adsorption of the carboxylic acid to alcohols prohibited the overreaction of alcohols to alkanes.