A NEW EXAMPLE OF OSCILLATORY REACTION - M ETHANOL MILD OXIDATION ON AMO-CA-O SIO2 CATALYST/

The oxidation of methanol on a Mo-Ca-O/SiO2 catalyst has been found to allow an oscillating mode. The period of the oscillation decreased wh en the reaction temperature or oxygen partial pressure increased, wher eas the total flow rate appeared to have only a minor influence. At 26 0-degrees-C, the methyl formate formation rate increased by a factor o f 50 during the oscillation cycle, while the methanol conversion varie d from 3.5 to 60%. A thermal oscillation due to the exothermicity of t he reaction was also observed simultaneously but does not completely m atch the oscillation of the rate of product formation.