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Abstract

TiO₂-, Al₂O₃-, and ZrO₂-supported CeO₂ catalysts with different Ce loadings were prepared by wet impregnation of the carriers with an acidified solution of cerium ammonium nitrate. The calcined catalysts were characterized by bulk and surface-sensitive techniques, which included microcalorimetry, and evaluated in the three-phase hydrogenation of alkynes under continuous-flow conditions at variable temperature (293–413 K) and pressure (1–90 bar). A number of acetylenic compounds, which contain terminal or internal triple bonds, conjugated unsaturations, and additional functionalities, were systematically assessed. The results revealed the full stereo- and chemoselective character of the ceria catalysts, which outperform the well-known Lindlar catalyst, and open promising perspectives for the revolutionary use of a cost-effective oxide for the production of olefinic compounds in the vitamin and fine chemical industries.