Mixed metal catalyst for isomerization of alpha-pinene to beta-pinene

Claim 1

A process for neutralizing the acidic functionality displayed by an alumina-supported Group VIII catalyst admixed with Group IB metal, wherein said Group VIII catalyst and said Group IB metal are disposed on said alumina support by contacting said alumina support with a Group VIII and Group IB salt solution followed by drying and reduction, said reduced alumina-supported Group VIII catalyst and Group IB metal having residual anions remaining thereon, said Group VIII catalyst being an elemental Group VIII metal having an atomic number between 28 and 78, inclusive, and said anions forming acid when contacted by hydrogen, which comprises: a. treating said alumina-supported catalyst and Group IB metal with at least about 0.002 weight parts per weight part of said alumina support of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal provided from a salt or hydroxide of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt or hydroxide inert to said catalyst, said treatment resulting in the formation of a salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal with said residual anions; and b. heating said treated alumina-supported catalyst and Group IB metal in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature less than about the minimum sintering temperature of said catalyst, the temperature of said heating being sufficient to volatilize or decompose the compound formed by the anion of said salt or hydroxide and said hydrogen.