Tin oxide surfaces. Part 11.—Infrared study of the chemisorption of ketones on tin(IV) oxide

Abstract

Infrared spectroscopy has been employed to study the chemisorption of a number of unsymmetrical ketones, RCOMe [R = C₃H₇, C₂H₅, (CH₃)₂CH, (CH₃)₃C, Ph], onto tin(IV) oxide. In every case, the final product was the surface carboxylate, RCO^–₂(ads). The data suggested a mechanism involving initial coordination of the ketone to a surface tin site, followed by nucleophilic attack of a neighbouring hydroxyl group at the carbonyl carbon atom.