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Structure and surface and catalytic properties of Mg-Al basic oxides

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis
; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Inst. de Investigaciones en Catalisis y Petroquimica, Santa Fe (Argentina)
  2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Mg-Al mixed oxides with Mg/Al molar ratios of 0.5--9.0 were obtained by thermal decomposition of precipitated hydrotalcite precursors. The effect of composition on structure and surface and catalytic properties was studied by combining several characterization methods with ethanol conversion reactions. The nature, density, and strength of surface basic sites depended on the Al content. The catalyst activity and selectivity of Mg-Al mixed oxides in ethanol conversion reactions depended on composition. The dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde and the aldol condensation to n-butanol both involved the initial surface ethoxide formation on a Lewis acid-strong base pair. The dehydration of ethanol to ethylene, and the coupling and dehydration to diethyl ether increased with Al content, probably reflecting the density increase of both Al{sup 3+}-O{sup 2{minus}} pairs and low- and medium-strength basic sites. Pure Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} displayed the highest dehydration activity.

OSTI ID:
659089
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis, Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 178; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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