Hydrodenitrogenation, reaction selectivity

The primary determinant of catalyst surface area is the support surface area, except in the case of certain catalysts where extremely fine dispersions of active material are obtained. As a rule, catalysts intended for catalytic conversions utilizing hydrogen, eg, hydrogenation, hydrodesulfurization, and hydrodenitrogenation, can utilize high surface area supports, whereas those intended for selective oxidation, eg, olefin epoxidation, require low surface area supports to avoid troublesome side reactions. 

The surface of the support is also important. Catalytic transformations such as hydrogenation, hydrodesulfurization, and hydrodenitrogenation are favored by large support surface areas, whereas selective oxidations such as olefin epoxidation do not require a support surface to suppress problematic side reactions. 

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