CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF ZRO2SIO2 - EFFECTS OF SULFATION IN THE CYCLOHEXENE ISOMERIZATION REACTION

Catalytic properties of ZrO2-SiO2 (14% molar) for cyclohexene conversi on (skeletal isomerization and hydrogen transfer) have been studied. T extural and morphological properties were correlated to explain cataly tic behavior. XRD, DTA-TGA, N-2 adsorption, DRIFT, and acidity measure ments by pyridine and dimethylpyridine chemisorption were used to char acterize samples, The effect of the sulfation process upon surface str ucture as well on catalytic activity/selectivity has also been studied . It has been shown that catalytic activities are increased on sulfate d samples, but at the same time products of the hydrogen transfer reac tion seem to be increased too, lowering the selectivity of the reactio n; isomerization always predominates, Sulfation transforms this compou nd to a relatively selective isomerization catalyst exhibiting greater catalytic activity. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.