CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF ALUMINATED SEPIOLITE IN ETHANOL CONVERSION

The aluminated sepiolite, obtained by alkaline treatment with KAlO2, a s well as the silver-exchanged aluminated sepiolite were tested in eth anol conversion. The reactions were performed at 280 degrees C and wit h 50 Torr of ethanol in He. After the alumination through KAlO2, ethan ol dehydrogenation and ethanol dehydration resulted from the Lewis aci dity. The dispersion of silver led to a bifunctional catalytic system and the overall catalytic activity and the selectivity towards the ace taldehyde production increased. As a result of the Prins reaction, a s ignificant yield in butadiene was observed.