Fourier transform infrared study of the adsorption and of reactions of acetaldehyde on dispersed silica

Abstract

Infrared spectral data are presented for the adsorption of acetaldehyde on pure and acid-modified dispersed silica at various temperatures. New species are found, and it is shown that an oligomerisation takes place during adsorption. The interaction of adsorbed acetaldehyde with oxygen results in adsorbed oxidation products only on silica modified with acetic acid but not on pure silica. The role of adsorbed acid in formation of oligomeric acetaldehydes as a possible intermediate in the oxidation process is discussed.