Alcohol Synthesis from CO2, H2, and Olefins over Alkali‐Promoted Au Catalysts—A Catalytic and In situ FTIR Spectroscopic Study

Abstract Au/TiO 2 and Au/SiO 2 catalysts containing 2 wt % Au and different amounts of K or Cs were tested for alcohol synthesis from CO 2 , H 2 , and C 2 H 4 /C 3 H 6 . 1‐Propanol or 1‐butanol/isobutanol were obtained in the presence of C 2 H 4 or C 3 H 6 . Higher yields of the corresponding alcohols were obtained over TiO 2 ‐based catalysts in comparison with their SiO 2 ‐based counterparts. This is caused by an enhanced ability of the TiO 2 ‐based catalysts for CO 2 activation, as concluded from in situ fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and temporal analysis of products (TAP) studies. The synthesized carbonate and formate species adsorbed on the support do not hamper CO 2 conversion into CO and the hydroformylation reaction. The transformation of Au δ + to active Au 0 sites proceeds during an activation procedure. As reflected by CO adsorption and scanning transmission electron microscopy, the accessible Au 0 sites are influenced by the amount of alkali dopants and the support. FTIR data and TAP tests reveal a very weak interaction of C 2 H 4 with the catalyst, suggesting its quick reaction with CO and H 2 after activation on Au 0 sites to form propanol and propane.