A Promoting Effect of Phosphorus-Addition to Cu/SiO2 on Selective Synthesis of Formaldehyde by Dehydrogenation of Methanol

Abstract Copper supported on SiO2, which was prepared from Cu(OCOCH3)2 and to which P was added, was a selective catalyst (80–85% at about 50% conversion) for the formation of HCHO by the dehydrogenation of CH3OH at 500 °C. Among various additives such as P, B, K, Li, Mo, and Zn, the addition of P to the Cu/SiO2 significantly enhanced the rate for the formation of HCHO with an increase in the selectivity.