Activated Base Metal Catalysts

Activated Base Metal Catalysts (ABMCs) are heterogeneous powder catalysts with no support (bulk catalysts), used 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 industries, although they do have other applications.

Benefits of our ABMCs:

• Reactions are safe and easy to start in batch or semi-batch processes
• Excellent filtration properties
• Multiple use of the catalyst
• Optimal cost efficiency

Portfolio

We have a portfolio of eight standard ABMCs 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 and B 3113 Z). For more details on the product properties and their application, please download our brochure or visit the Catalyst Guide.

We also offer ABMCs that are embedded in either DSA (distearyl amine) with 60% catalyst loading or PEG (polyethylene glycol) with 40% catalyst loading. Our standard embedded ABMCs are B 411 DSA and B 413 DSA.

Benefits of our embedded catalysts:

• They are non-pyrophoric for easier and safer handling
• They contain less than 1% water, which makes them perfect for water-sensitive reactions
• The catalyst is free-flowing for better reactor charging
• They are more active than customer dried catalysts
• Evonik embedded catalysts do not give off ammonia gas

The Centoprime^®-Technology

The Centoprime^®-Technology allows the selective hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines without the formation of secondary or tertiary amines. This Evonik proprietary technology is highly interesting for nitrile hydrogenations in general and fatty nitriles in particular or for the synthesis of vitamin B1. Learn more about this innovative technology for which Evonik was awarded the Murray-Raney-Award in 2008 in our ABMC brochure.

The Manufacturing Process

Evonik ABMCs are manufactured according to a process invented by Murray Raney, by the 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. Promoter metals can be added either at the beginning of the process, as part of the alloy, or at the end, when they modify the surface of the catalyst.