GAS-PHASE HYDROGEN-TRANSFER REDUCTION OF ACROLEIN USING 2-PROPANOL OVER MGO B2O3 AND SIO2/ALPO4 CATALYSTS/

Two MgO/B2O3 and SiO2/AlPO4 catalysts designated BM50 and PM2, respect ively, were used in the gas-phase hydrogen transfer between acrolein a nd 2-propanol to obtain allyl alcohol and propanal. The acid-base prop erties and catalytic activity of the two systems were found to be rath er different. Thus, the MgO/B2O3 catalyst is more selective towards al lyl alcohol than is the SiO2/ AlPO4 catalyst (conversion to the alcoho l was 28% with the former and 0% with the latter). This special select ivity is discussed in terms of the different ways in which acrolein ca n be adsorbed on the catalytic surface as revealed by temperature-prog rammed desorption profiles and DRIFT spectra for pre-adsorbed acrolein .