CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF YBA2CU3O7-X AND ALKALINE-EARTH CUPRATES

The catalytic activities of layered cuprates such as YBa2Cu3O7-x and M CuO2, where M = Ca, Sr or Ba are evaluated for Partial oxidation Of 2- propanol and benzyl alcohol. These cuprates promote partial oxidation or dehydrogenation to yield corresponding carbonyl compounds. However, cuprates with vacancies or oxygen non-stoichiometric sites promote de hydration to yield methyl isobutyl ketone from 2-propanol and toluene from benzyl alcohol. The cuprate catalysts are found to be more active than the conventional molybdate and antimonates for the partial oxida tion.