N2O formation during organic nitro compounds' hydrolysis on platinum basedcatalysts

Hydrolysis reaction products of 1- and 2-nitropropane and 2-methyl-2-nitrop ropane were compared on a platinum-alumina catalyst, in the conditions of N O lean reduction by propene (gas phase,low concentrations and in the presen ce of water and oxygen). N2O formed during the reaction decreased in the or der 1-nitropropane > 2-nitropropane >> 2-methyl-2-nitropropane, i.e. follow ing the degree of substitution of the carbon atom in the alpha position of the nitro group. The Nef(19) reaction mechanism is proposed to explain this observation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.