Preparation and properties of new acid catalysts obtained by grafting alkoxides and derivatives on the most common supports. Part II: Grafting zirconium and silicon alkoxides on γ-alumina Original Research Article

In this work, the preparation and properties of the acid catalysts obtained by grafting zirconium and silicon alkoxides and zirconium-sulfated alkoxide on γ-alumina were studied. The catalysts prepared were examined with electrochemical techniques to evaluate the hydroxyl density, the ZPC (zero point charge) and the intrinsic surface ionization constants. The catalysts were also submitted to TPD (temperature-programmed desorption) analysis using different organic bases to determine the distribution of acid sites. Some samples were also submitted to microcalorimetric analysis using pyridine as probe molecule, and to XPS measurements. Finally, the catalysts prepared were tested in three different reactions: methanol dehydration, n-hexane isomerization and cracking and skeletal isomerization of 1-butene to isobutene. The most relevant results obtained were: (i) grafted zirconia strongly promoted methanol dehydration up to an upper limit of grafting; (ii) grafted zirconium sulfated alkoxide showed a moderate activity, but good selectivity in n-hexane isomerization; (iii) silicated aluminas (prepared in the absence of solvents) showed high activity, selectivity and stability in the 1-butene skeletal isomerization reaction.