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Catalytic activity of zirconium phosphate and some derived phases in the dehydration of alcohols and isomerization of butenes

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5533719

The catalytic activity of ..cap alpha..-Zr(HPO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ x H/sub 2/O prepared by different methods and of phases derived from it by heating between 200 and 1100/sup 0/C or by ion exchange with Na/sup +/, Cs/sup +/, or Ag/sup +/, has been investigated by means of different acid-catalyzed test reactions, namely, isopropanol, 1- or 2-butanol dehydration, and 1-butene isomerization. The active centers of both Zr(HPO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ and ZrP/sub 2/O/sub 7/ phases are mainly the surface Broensted sites, as indicated by the strong decrease or annihilation of their catalytic activity after surface Cs/sup +/ poisoning. An explanation of the low residual activity detected for same samples is given. As deduced from the products of 1-butene isomerization, the acidic sites are generally of medium strength. However, on heating between 350 and 700/sup 0/C, when partial or total condensation of hydrogen phosphate to P-O-P groups occurs (with progressive formation of the layered pyrophosphate phase) they transform into sites of medium-high strength.

Research Organization:
Universita di Roma, Italy
OSTI ID:
5533719
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 103:2; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English