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Effects of catalyst phase structure on the elementary processes involved in the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide over zirconia

Journal Article · · Topics in Catalysis
OSTI ID:836788

In situ infrared spectroscopy has been used to investigate the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and carbon monoxide over tetragonal (t-ZrO2) and monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2). While similar species were observed for both phases, the dynamics of the elementary processes were different. The dissociative adsorption of methanol to form methoxide species was approximately twice as fast on m-ZrO2 as on t-ZrO2. CO2 insertion to form monomethyl carbonate, an intermediate in the synthesis of DMC, occurred more than order of magnitude more rapidly over m-ZrO2. By contrast, the transfer of a methyl group from adsorbed methanol to monomethyl carbonate and the resulting formation of DMC proceeded roughly twice as fast over m-ZrO2. The observed patterns are attributed to the higher Bronsted basicity of hydrolyl groups and cus-Zr4+o2- Lewis acid/base pairs present on the surface of zirconia.

Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Division of Chemical Sciences (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
836788
Report Number(s):
LBNL--49408
Journal Information:
Topics in Catalysis, Journal Name: Topics in Catalysis Journal Issue: 1-4 Vol. 20
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English