Catalytic hydrodenitrogenation of indole over molybdenum nitride and carbides with different structures

The hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of indole has been studied over Mo2N and Mo2 C with different structures. The difference in activity was modest and the structure of the catalysts exerted a more significant effect than the chemi cal composition. More evident difference was observed in selectivity, and h ere the composition was the most important factor. Sonochemically prepared Mo2C was an active catalyst for HDN reaction. It formed plate-like aggregat es of loosely packed Mo2C (fcc) particles. The crystallinity of sonochemica lly prepared Mo2C was improved during the reaction, and its behavior in HDN became similar to Mo2C (fcc) prepared by the TPR method. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.