Abstract: Two-step hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene(DCPD) was carried out over Pd/Al₂O₃ as catalyst and formic acid as hydrogen donor instead of H₂. The hydrogenation products could be further used to prepare high density jet fuel and fine chemicals. This process avoids the high pressure, flammable and explosive risk and the high requirements for the equipment when using H₂ as the hydrogen source, and can be completed in an ordinary container. The effects of formic acid adding mode, reaction time, reaction temperature, reaction solvent and substrate concentration were investigated. The results showed that adding formic acid by interval with average weight was beneficial for the formation of endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, the yield of which could be up to 99% after reaction 10 h at 160 ℃. In isopropanol, ethanol or tetrahydrofuran solvent, DCPD concentration of 40%-60% could effectively promote the formation of endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene. At the same time, the stability of the catalyst was investigated, and it was found that the catalyst could still maintain high catalytic activity after five cycles, which meant good potential for industrialization.

Key words: hydrogen donor, formic acid, dicyclopentadiene, endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene, in-situ hydrogenation