Abstract
The thermal cracking of n-butane was compared with both thermal and catalytic n-butane oxidative dehydrogenation reactions. It was found that thermal oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane was highly selective to n-butenes (approximately 70%) in the conversion range of 11–20%. This reaction proceeded at lower temperature than the thermal cracking of n-butane without oxygen. These results suggest that both reactions have different initiation steps. In the thermal cracking of n-butane the reaction initiated by the C–C bond scission, whereas for the thermal oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane the removal of the hydrogen atom by the molecular oxygen to form C4HO2 radicals was proposed as the main initiation step. On the other hand, butadiene was only obtained via a catalytic pathway, being strongly dependent on the reaction conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Blasco and J.M. López Nieto, Appl. Catal. A 157 (1997) 117.
H.H. Kung, Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev. 25 (1986) 171.
M.A. Chaar, D. Patel, M.C. Kung and H.H. Kung, J. Catal. 105 (1987) 483.
H.H. Kung and M.C. Kung, Appl. Catal. A 157 (1997) 105.
B. Grzybowska, J. Sloczynski, R. Grabowski, K. Wcislo, A. Kozlowska, J. Stoch and J. Zielinski, J. Catal. 178 (1998) 687.
P. Moriceau, B. Grzybowska, Y. Barbaux, G. Wrobel and G. Hecquet, Appl. Catal. A 168 (1998) 269.
H. Shimada, T. Akazawa, N. Ikenaga and T. Suzuki, Appl. Catal. A 168 (1998) 243.
B. Delmon, S.R.G. Carrazan, S. Koroli, M.A. Vicente Rodríguez and Z. Sobalik, Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. 100 (1996) 1.
Z.R. Ismagilov, S.N. Pak and V.K. Yermolaev, J. Catal. 136 (1992) 197.
K.T. Nguyen and H.H. Kung, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 30 (1991) 352.
I.M. Dahl, K. Grande, K.-J. Jens, E. Rytter and A. Slagtern, Appl. Catal. 77 (1991) 163.
K.T. Nguyen and H.H. Kung, J. Catal. 122 (1990) 415.
H. Armendariz, G. Aguilar-Rios, P. Salas, M.A. Valenzuela and I. Schifter, Appl. Catal. A 92 (1992) 29.
J.E. Huheey, Inorganic Chemistry (Harper & Row, New York, 1972).
R.R. Baker, R.R. Baldwin, A.R. Fuller and R.W. Walker, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. I 71 (1975) 736.
R.R. Baker, R.R. Baldwin and R.W. Walker, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. I 71 (1975) 756.
R.R. Baker, R.R. Baldwin and R.W. Walker, Alkene Formation in Hydrocarbon Oxidation (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Toledo, J., Armendariz, H. & López-Salinas, E. Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane: a comparative study of thermal and catalytic reaction using Fe–Zn mixed oxides. Catalysis Letters 66, 19–24 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019062531620
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019062531620