EFFECT OF OXIDE PRECURSORS ON THE CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF COPPER CHROMIUM CATALYSTS OF DEHYDROGENATION OF CYCLOHEXANOL

X-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the character of the compound formed in initial copper-chromium catalysts predetermines the phase composition, valence state of copper and chro mium, and the catalytic activity of the systems after their reduction and work during dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol. It was found that cop per-chromium catalysts containing CuCr2O4 in the initial state exhibit significantly higher activity and selectivity after reduction than ca talysts initially containing CuCrO4. It was hypothesized that the incr ease in the activity is caused by stabilization of some of the copper in the spinel and the increase in the selectivity related to a decreas e in the rate of condensation of cyclohexanone is due to an increase i n the degree of reduction of chromium on the surface of these systems.