The dehydrogenation of ethanol has been studied over a series or promoted copper catalysts (CuMO(x)/SiO2, M = Cr, Mg. Ca, Sr, and Ba) The results indicate that the activity and stability of Cr-promoted catalyst improved only in the case of copper promotion by minor amounts of Cr (Cr/Cu=1/40 molar ratio). The activity and stability of Cr-promoted catalysts decreased when the Cr/Cu molar ratio greater than 1/40. The Mg-promoted catalyst has a higher activity and stability than the unpromoted one; however, the Ca-, Sr-, and Ba-promoted catalysts are poor in stabilities than the unpromoted catalyst.
