Urea modified USY zeolite supported Cu-based catalyst for acetylene hydrochlorination

Zeolites have been used as a new support for noble catalysts in acetylene hydrochlorination, but the possibility of loading non-noble catalysts is often ignored. Herein, a series of Cu-based/USY catalysts were prepared, among which Cu-Urea/USY catalysts performed better. A combination of experimental and theoretical techniques reveals that the coordination of urea and CuCl2 balances the adsorption energy of the reactants on the catalyst, thereby reducing the formation of carbon deposition and improving the catalytic performance. The reaction is carried out by the L-H mechanism. This work provides a strategy for the synthesis of high performance zeolites supported Cu-based catalysts during acetylene hydrochlorination.