Conversion of isopropyl alcohol to acetone catalysed by Cr2O3 at 473 K: role of molecular oxygen

Abstract

The conversion of isopropyl alcohol to acetone has been studied over Cr₂O₃ powder at 473 K in a flowing microcatalytic reactor. Appreciable steady-state catalytic activity was achieved only when oxygen was present in the reactant gas flow. The effect of mild pretreatment of Cr₂O₃ in O₂–N₂ at 473 K on the initial activity, and the observed dependence of the process on O₂ pressure has been related to the oxidation–reduction cycle of the surface chromium species. Cr⁽³⁺ⁿ⁾⁺ on the surface of Cr₂O₃ have been considered to be the active species, where n= 1–3.