Recent advances in high-performance Cu/SiO2 catalysts for hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol

The deep hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) is the key step in the environmentally friendly coal-to-ethylene glycol (CTEG) process. However, the currently used Cu/SiO₂ catalysts generally exhibit low selectivity and stability to meet the requisite conditions for industrial production. In recent years, strategies such as optimizing the preparation methods, adjusting the reaction conditions, adding promoters and constructing the support effect have been adopted to improve the performance of Cu/SiO₂ catalysts. This paper analyses various alterations in catalyst structure and composition resulting from the implementation of distinct modification strategies through the reaction mechanism. Most importantly, this review presents a brief overview of potential avenues on the future advancement of high-performance Cu/SiO₂ catalysts in DMO hydrogenation process including considerations of structural and textural properties, active sites, electronic structures, and metal support interaction (MSI).