On some problems of the hydrogenation of benzene on nickel and nickel‐copper alloys

Abstract
A comparison is made of the activity of the Ni catalyst and alloys with 5 and 10 at % Cu, in the hydrogenation of benzene. While at low temperatures (< 100°C) Ni is more active, at higher temperatures the situation is reversed; the reason is the presence of side‐reactions as hydrogenolysis and coke formation. Alloying of Ni with Cu has a much more pronounced effect on the reactions of CC bonds (side reactions) than of CH bonds.