Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic studies of the adsorption of ketene on silica

Abstract

FTIR spectroscopy has been applied to study the adsorption of ketene (H₂CCO) on the surface of silica (dehydroxylated at 573 and 973 K) at room temperature and 178–183 K. Surface acetate and acetic acid anhydride species were produced by the interaction of ketene with hydroxy groups. Silica pretreated at the higher temperature showed a lower reactivity towards ketene chemisorption and in particular towards acid anhydride formation. Adjacent hydroxy groups were mainly responsible for ketene chemisorption. Physisorbed ketene was observed at 178–183 K, while chemisorption products were considerably reduced compared with the experiments at room temperature.