Infrared study of the adsorption of ethyl acetate and acetic acid on rutile immersed in n-heptane

Abstract

Infrared spectra of ethyl acetate and acetic acid adsorbed on rutile at the solid–n-heptane interface have been recorded using an infrared cell of novel design. The predominant surface–adsorbate interactions resulted in the formation of chemisorbed acetate species which were not desorbed by removal of the liquid phase and subsequent evacuation. Associatively adsorbed molecules containing carboxylic ester or acid groups were partially desorbed by the evacuation procedure. Significant differences between the reactivities of distinguishable surface hydroxyl groups were revealed by the spectroscopic data.