Excellent Activity of Ultrafine Co-B Amorphous Alloy Catalyst in Glucose Hydrogenation

The ultrafine Co-B amorphous alloy, doped or undoped with Mo or W, were prepared by chemical reduction with borohydride. Its catalytic performance in liquid phase hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol has been investigated, which revealed (i)the higher activity than that of crystalline Co and the Ni-based catalysts, and (ii)the promoting effect of Mo and W dopants on the activity.