Activated Base Metal Catalysts (ABMC) are heterogeneous powder catalysts with no support (bulk catalysts) for slurry type reactions that are carried out in batch or semi-batch mode. They are very popular in the bulk chemicals, fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industry, though there are applications outside these industries.

Evonik’s Activated Base Metal Catalysts are catalysts manufactured according to the Raney-process (Murray Raney, US Patent 1628190 (1927)) by caustic leaching of alloys containing aluminium and a catalytic base metal. This leaching process removes most of the aluminium leaving behind a hydrogen rich skeletal framework of the catalytic metal. After this activation, the catalyst is washed and stored under water. Promotor metals can either be added right at the beginning of the process being part of the alloy or at the end where they modify the surface of the catalyst.

Activated Base Metal Catalysts are especially useful for applications in the bulk, fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. Here they show their full potential:

• Safe and easy start of reactions in batch or semi-batch processes
• Excellent filtration properties
• Multiple use of the catalyst
• Optimal cost efficiency
  

Evonik has a portfolio of eight standard catalysts that are shipped under water (B 111 W, B 113 W, B 113 Z, BK 111 W, BK 113 W, BLM 112 W, B 2112 Z, B 3113 Z). For more details on the product properties and their application please download our brochure, or visit the Catalyst Guide.

Evonik also offers ABMC which are embedded in either DSA (Distearyl amine for 60 % catalyst loading) or PEG – (polyethylene glycol for 40 % catalyst loading). Our standard embedded ABMC are B 411 DSA or B 413 DSA.

Benefits of embedded catalysts

• Non-pyrophoric for easier and safer handling
• less than 1 % water and therefore perfect for water sensitive reactions
• catalyst is free-flowing for better reactor charging
• embedded catalysts are more active than customer dried catalysts
• Evonik’s embedded catalysts do not give off ammonia gas

Selective Hydrogenation

• Carbonyl compounds
• Olefins
• Aromatic rings
• Nitro compounds
• Nitriles

Dehydrogenation

• Alcohols to aldehydes

Hydration

• Nitriles to amides