IR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE SKELETAL ISOMERIZATION OF BUTENE BY ALUMINA-SUPPORTED TUNGSTEN-OXIDE CATALYSTS

The surface properties of supported tungsten oxide catalysts, pure tun gsten oxide, and pure alumina were studied by IR spectroscopy, using p yridine and carbon monoxide as probes. The interaction of these cataly sts with n-butenes, molecules which are isomerised selectively by the catalysts to isobutene, has also been studied by IR spectroscopy. A co rrelation is found between the catalytic properties of the catalysts a nd the strength and nature of the acidic sites found on their surface. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.