Infrared characterization of the hydrocarbon intermediates in the oxidation of toluene and xylenes over vanadia–titania catalysts

Abstract

The IR spectra of adsorbed species arising from the interaction of toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene vapours with the surface of a vanadia–titania selective oxidation catalyst are discussed. It is concluded that they are due to benzyl– and methylbenzyl–vanadium species arising from hydrogen abstraction from the hydrocarbon molecule. These species are thought to play a key role in the oxidation mechanism.