A series of mesoporous Cu-HMS catalysts prepared under different calcination temperatures were synthesized by a deposition precipitation method. The catalytic reaction was tested via the hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) to ethylene glycol (EG). The 100% DMO conversion and 97% EG selectivity could be obtained over the optimized catalyst calcined at 650 ℃. XRD, BET, H2-TPR, N2O titration and XPS were used to unveil the intrinsic essence of the catalyst. It was suggested that the dispersion of copper species and the interaction between the copper species and the silica be closely related to the calcination temperature and play a crucial role in the hydrogenation of DMO to EG.

Key words: Cu/HMS, dimethyl oxalate, ethylene glycol, catalytic hydrogenation