The total oxidation of propane and its oxy-dehydrogenation to propene have
been studied on spinel-type catalysts Mn3O4, Co3O4 and MgCr2O4 in a flow re
actor and in an IR cell. Analogous studies have been performed on the oxy-d
ehydrogenation of n-butenes to 1,3-butadiene over MgFe2O4 Information on th
e reaction mechanism have been reached. The activation of the hydrocarbons
is thought to occur by abstraction of a hydrogen from the weakest C-H bond,
with a simultaneous reduction of a surface site and with the formation of
a surface alkoxy-group. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.