2-Propanol Decomposition on Substituted Copper Aluminate Catalysts

Chemistry Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302

Manuscript received 27 March 1995, revised 29 December 1995, accepted 15 February 1996

Catalytic decomposition of propan-2-ol has been studied in the temperature range 473-673 K on CuAl₂O₄, Li₂O impregnated CuAl₂O₄ and lithium, nickel and magnesium substituted CuAl₂O₄ catalysts. Selectivity of the catalyst towards dehydrogenation is increased by impregnation with Li due to an increase in the number of Cu²⁺ ions on the catalyst surface, which is the active site for dehydrogenation. The active sites for the dehydration process are the coordinatively unsaturated Al³⁺ ions of the catalyst.