Structure aerogel-like

For comparison with the carbon-based catalysts, several MgO catalysts were prepared on silica and alumina supports, and a very high-sur-face MgO aerogel was also prepared. Testing these under the same conditions gave very poor yields of the desired alcohols. It is clear that the carbon structures promote the activity, very likely by catalyzing the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation steps. 

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