N-butane selective oxidation

Xue, Z.-Y., Schrader, G. L., 1999, Transient FTIR Studies of the Reaction Pathway for n-Butane Selective Oxidation over Vanadyl Pyrophosphate, J. Catal. 184, 87. 

Vanadium-Phosphorus Oxide Catalyst for n-Butane Selective Oxidation... 

Ml phase " represents the clearest example of a multifunctional catalyst in which each element, in close geometrical and electronic synergy with the surrounding elements, plays a specific role in turn, as an isolated active site, in every reaction step for the alkane transformation into the partial oxidation product desired. The flexibility of the structure allows modification of the catalyst composition and hence its catalytic behavior. Moreover, this type of mixed-metal oxide catalyst has the ability to catalyze other different oxidation reactions starting from alkanes, such as propane oxidation to acrylic acid, " oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene, and n-butane selective oxidation. ... 

The oxidation of n-butane represents a good example illustrating the effect of a catalyst on the selectivity for a certain product. The noncatalytic oxidation of n-butane is nonselective and produces a mixture of oxygenated compounds including formaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, and alcohols. Typical weight % yields when n-butane is oxidized in the vapor phase at a temperature range of 360-450°C and approximately 7 atmospheres are formaldehyde 33%, acetaldehyde 31%, methanol 20%, acetone 4%, and mixed solvents 12%. 

The multi-functionality of metal oxides1,13 is one of the key aspects which allow realizing selectively on metal oxide catalysts complex multi-step transformations, such as w-butane or n-pentane selective oxidation.14,15 This multi-functionality of metal oxides is also the key aspect to implement a new sustainable industrial chemical production.16 The challenge to realize complex multi-step reactions over solid catalysts and ideally achieve 100% selectivity requires an understanding of the surface micro-kinetic and the relationship with the multi-functionality of the catalytic surface.17 However, the control of the catalyst multi-functionality requires the ability also to control their nano-architecture, e.g. the spatial arrangement of the active sites around the first centre of chemisorption of the incoming molecule.1... 

It follows from the results presented in Table 4, that the samples obtained by mechanochemical treatment of the precursor become more active in the reaction of n-butane partial oxidation so that the hydrocarbon conversion and selectivity to maleic anhydride increase. The sample converted into vanadyl pyrophosphate by means of the mechanochemical treatment turned out to be more efficient than that activated with the reaction mixture. The most interesting is the sample after 30 min. treatment which is "half-activated" and consists of the amorphous phase. The active component forming directly in the catalytic mixture without long activation procedure gives rise to the most active and selective catalyst for n-butane oxidation. 

It has been well established that, for butane selective oxidation, both the precursor formation step and its activation are of crucial importance for the final performance of the catsdyst. The type of solvent and the kind of reducing agent used have been correlated with e catalytic activity. Apparently the use of organic media is regarded as more convenient than other methods. However, very limited information is obtained firom the literature with respect to the influence of these two steps in the oxidation of n-pentane. Only the surface topology of the catalyst was discussed as controlling the PA/MA ratio at n-pentane oxidation (8). 

O-X-D [Oxidative dehydrogenation] A process for converting n-butane to butadiene by selective atmospheric oxidation over a catalyst. Developed by the Phillips Petroleum Company and used by that company in Texas from 1971 to 1976. See also Oxo-D. 

Active Crystal Face of Vanadyl Pyrophosphate for Selective Oxidation of n-Butane... 

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