Selective oxidation of butan-2-one to diacetyl over vanadium pentoxide. An investigation by temporal analysis of products

E. McCullagh, N. C. Rigas, J. T. Gleaves, B. K. Hodnett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The selective oxidation of butan-2-one to diacetyl over vanadium pentoxide in the temperature range 250-350° C has been studied using the technique of temporal analysis of products. Evidence is presented that butan-2-one and molecular oxygen compete for the same adsorption sites on vanadium pentoxide. When 18O2 was used as oxidizing agent only 16O appeared in the product diacetyl indicating that the reaction of butan-2-one to diacetyl proceeds by interaction between the substrate and lattice oxygen. Acetoin (CH3COCHOHCH3) could be detected as an intermediate in the reaction network. In the experimental conditions of this study acetic acid was the major side product observed, and it was produced by decomposition of diacetyl. Smaller amounts of acetic acid were produced via oxidative cleavage of the enol form of butan-2-one.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-195
Number of pages13
JournalApplied Catalysis A, General
Volume95
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Mar 1993

Keywords

  • butanone oxidation
  • diacetyl
  • selectivity (diacetyl)
  • vanadium pentoxide

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