In situ MAS NMR spectroscopy study of catalytic reaction mechanisms

In situ magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy has been recently appli ed successfully to study catalytic reaction mechanisms in batch-like and co ntinuous-flow conditions. The characteristics of both methods are highlight ed. Examples taken from our own studies of the activation of propane at low temperature on Ga/H-ZSM-5, the alkylation of benzene with propane on Ga/H- ZSM-5, and the activation of n-butane at low temperature on Pt/H-Theta-1 il lustrate how batch-like conditions in situ MAS NMR spectroscopy with the he lp of strategically C-13-labelled reagents contributes to the understanding of catalytic reaction mechanisms and of the dynamics and reactivity of sur face intermediates and active sites. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.