Investigation of Activated‐Carbon‐Supported Copper Catalysts with Unique Catalytic Performance in the Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Oxalate to Methyl Glycolate

Copper‐based activated‐carbon (AC)‐supported catalysts were synthesized by a facile ammonia evaporation–impregnation method. Unlike the conventional Cu/SiO 2 catalyst, which showed highly catalytic selectivity towards ethylene glycol (EG) or EtOH, Cu/AC catalysts display unique selectivity to methyl glycolate (MG). The catalytic performance relies on the high content of surface Cu + species and the relatively large copper particles with moderate hydrogenation activity.