US Patent 7335800 Hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogenation method

The present invention provides a hydrogenation catalyst effective for hydrogenating 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde to 1,3-propanediol. The hydrogenation catalyst comprises an α-alumina support, nickel, ruthenium, and a promoter. The nickel is deposited on the α-alumina support, and the ruthenium and the promoter are deposited on the nickel and the α-alumina support. The α-alumina support comprises at least 92 wt. % of the catalyst, and the nickel comprises from 1 wt. % to 6 wt. % of the catalyst. The present invention also provides a process of hydrogenating 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde to 1,3-propanediol with the catalyst.