Catalytic conversion of propan-2-ol on carbon catalysts

The decomposition of propan-2-ol was studied using carbon catalysts with a different chemical nature of the surface. They were prepared from poly(furfuryl alcohol). The catalytic tests were performed in a flow reactor in the temperature range 348–463 K. Dehydration as well as dehydrogenation of the substrate occur under the conditions applied. The products are di-2-propyl ether plus propene, and acetone, respectively. The study supports our previous findings of a high dehydration activity of oxidized carbons. It was found that the dehydration occurs on the outer surface of the carbon catalyst, whereas the dehydrogenation takes place also within the catalyst pores. There exists an optimum concentration of acidic surface oxides, above which there is no further increase of the dehydration activity. In the contrary, a decrease was observed. Effects of poisoning with substances of different acceptor-donor properties support our earlier findings that the dehydration activity results from the presence of carboxyl groups of varying strength, whereas the dehydrogenation activity results from the simultaneous presence of the acidic and basic Lewis sites.