Intermediate catalyst deactivation process

Because of its broad applicability, Raman spectroscopy is expected to be used in the near future to characterize numerous catalytic materials in the functioning state, specifically, to unravel the nature of the catalytically active sites, to identify surface reaction intermediates, and to follow catalyst deactivation processes. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the characterization of all synthesis and activation steps of catalysts. It can be used to investigate species formed in aqueous solution, depending on the pH, metal concentrations, or the presence of complex-ing agents. Such structural information is potentially valuable in laying the groundwork for the reproducible synthesis of industrial catalysts. 

Previous reports on FMSZ catalysts have indicated that, in the absence of added H2, the isomerization activity exhibited a typical pattern when measured as a function of time on stream [8, 9], In all cases, the initial activity was very low, but as the reaction proceeded, the conversion slowly increased, reached a maximum, and then started to decrease. In a recent paper [7], we described the time evolution in terms of a simple mathematical model that includes induction and deactivation periods This model predicts the existence of two types of sites with different reactivity and stability. One type of site was responsible for most of the activity observed during the first few minutes on stream, but it rapidly deactivated. For the second type of site, both, the induction and deactivation processes, were significantly slower We proposed that the observed induction periods were due to the formation and accumulation of reaction intermediates that participate in the inter-molecular step described above. Here, we present new evidence to support this hypothesis for the particular case of Ni-promoted catalysts. 

Several important classes of polar monomers have so far eluded copolymerization by the Pd(II) system. Vinyl chloride insertion, for example, leads to catalyst deactivation following P-halide elimination to form inert chloride species such as 1.32, as shown by Jordan [90], Similarly, attempted vinyl acetate copolymerization results in deactivation by an analogous acetate elimination process, although the ester chelate intermediate that forms after insertion also effectively shuts down the reaction [90], Therefore, -elimination of polar groups represents a significant and unresolved problem for late transition metal polymerization systems unless access of the metal to it is restricted. 

However, several assumptions are inherent in this interpretation of the data. First, it is assumed that the change in the observed effect (such as conversion of 850°F+, percentage denitrogenation, etc.) is linear with respect to time. Thus a linear delta-effect per period of time could be established and intermediate data could be adjusted to a MfreshM activity corresponding to that observed at the reference period and at any desired temperature. Second, it is assumed that the intermediate process parameter variations had no adverse effect on the catalyst deactivation function. For example, operation at constant temperature for a given interval of time would produce the same catalyst deactivation as varying temperatures (within limits) over the same interval of time. 

Additional tests were carried out to study effects of reaction and catalyst variables on the deactivation process. Results are presented in Tables 1-5. Thus the initial carbon present in the solution is transformed during the reaction principally into reaction intermediates, carbon dioxide and polymeric species. The rest remains as untransformed phenol. Elemental analysis of the catalysts quantifies the fraction of the initial carbon which has been transformed into polymers. The TOC analysis in the liquid phase permits calculation of the fraction of initial carbon which remains unreacted or has been transformed into reaction intermediates. Therefore, the initial carbon transformed into carbon dioxide was calculated as follows ... 

Finally, The dehydrogenation of butanediols to y-butyrolactone is an important commercial reaction that was developed by BASF and named the Reppe process. The most probable reaction mechanism via the y-hydroxybutyraldehyde intermediate clearly shows that the reaction proceeds via two separate alcohol dehydrogenation steps with a rearrangement step taking place in-between (Table 1, Scheme 12) [49]. The reaction is usually performed in the gas phase with hydrogen as carrier gas, to reduce catalyst deactivation, which is a characteristic problem. Thus, extensive research is now being conducted in the liquid phase [50,51]. In addition to a lower catalyst deactivation rate, liquid phase reaction also reduces the number of side-products. The drawbacks are, of course, lower activity but also abrasion problems with the catalyst. The catalyst is preferably stabilized as a powder in a silica matrix (Ludox R) [51]. The catalyst most often encountered in the patent literature is a Cu-Cr with a promoter such as Ba or Mn. The catalyst is also preferably doped with Na or K and pretreated very carefully in a reducing atmosphere [52]. 

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