X-Ray photoelectron spectra of a supported molybdenum hexacarbonyl olefin disproportionation catalyst

Abstract

X-ray photoelectron spectra for a catalyst prepared by condensing molybdenum hexacarbonyl on to γ-alumina indicate that the molybdenum in an activated disproportionation catalyst does not exist as hexacarbonyl but is displaced to higher binding energies; the loss of activity on exposure of such a catalyst to air is shown to be accompanied by oxidation of the molybdenum.