Cu-based catalysts(Cu/B/M/Al2O3

M = Mg

Ca

Ni)supported on the modified γ-Al2O3 by incorporating MgO

CaO or NiO were prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method

of which each active component was solely deposited on support. The catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)

X-ray diffraction(XRD)

NH3 temperature-programmed desorption(NH3-TPD)

H2 temperature-programmed reduction(H2-TPR)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)techniques. It showed that effects of the modifications of γ-Al2O3 support with varied metal oxides on the structure of Cu-based catalysts and the catalytic performances for the hydrogenation of sec-butyl acetate(SBA)were significant. NiO-modified catalysts exhibited dramatic increases in the yields of both ethyl acetate and butane

due to the intrinsic activity of Ni metal for alkene hydrogenation and the acidic support beneficial to transesterification and sec-butanol dehydration

while the modification with MgO resulted in a poor dispersion of Cu metal on support and an inferior catalyst stability for the SBA hydrogenation. For above two catalysts

the modification of NiO or MgO was conducted after loading B2O3 and Cu precursors on support. On the contrary

the modification with CaO was done before loading B2O3 and Cu precursors

which facilitated the Cu dispersion on support and improved both SBA conversions and the selectivity to sec-butanol. Moreover

formation and accumulation of non-reactive carbonaceous species on the surface of CaO-modified catalyst might be effectively minimized.