CATALYTIC OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OF ETHYLBENZENE BY NITROBENZENE TO FORM STYRENE AND ANILINE

The subject of this work was an oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenz ene by nitrobenzene to form styrene and aniline over MeO(x)/MgF2 (Me = W, Mo, V). The catalysts active in this process were those which expo sed redox centres on their surface. On such systems the active coke wa s formed which supplied active hydrogen. The V2O5/MgF2 system was the most active and selective catalyst. The presence of water vapour in th e reacting mixture improved the yield of aniline. It was also shown, t hat additives decreasing the surface acidity prolonged the life-time o f the catalyst.