Partial hydrogenation of benzene with ruthenium catalysts prepared by a chemical mixing procedure: Preparation and properties of the catalysts

Ruthenium catalysts were prepared in different alcohols by a chemical mixing technique, characterised by the preparation of a homogeneous solution containing catalyst components, and the uniform coagulation of the solution through hydrolysis. The technique has the potential for controlling the surface area of the catalysts and for making them porous. The ruthenium catalysts were much more effective for the partial hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexene (maximum cyclohexene yield, 31.4%) in the absence of any poison such as alkali metal hydroxide or transitional metal sulphate in the reaction solution.