Use of the Headspace Technique to Detect Chemisorbed Species on Catalytic Surfaces

Both the headspace technique and chemical trapping are used to analyse chemisorbed species on a catalytic surface. The headspace technique proved to be more suitable for this kind of analysis. The glass apparatus needed to conduct this experiment and the procedure for the chemical trapping of the formyl species -CHO are described. Even if the method developed does not give the absolute concentration of formyl species chemisorbed on the catalytic surface, it can be used to determine the formyl species on different catalysts and to compare the results with their reactivity to a specified product. Thus, it is possible to demonstrate the role of these chemisorbed species in these syntheses.