Mechanism of Ethanol Conversion on a 5% CuO/ZrO2 Catalyst According to In Situ IR-Spectroscopic Data

Ethoxy groups, acetate complexes, and condensation products were detected on the surface of a 5% CuO/ZrO 2 catalyst using in situ IR spectroscopy under conditions of ethanol conversion. Formate complexes were not observed under the reaction conditions. Acetaldehyde, acetone, CO 2 , and ethylene were detected as the main reaction products of ethanol conversion; hydrogen, butane, and toluene were also formed in small amounts. Acetaldehyde was formed by the interaction of ethoxy groups and surface hydroxyl groups. Acetone, butane, and toluene resulted from the conversion of condensation products. The low rate of hydrogen formation on this catalyst was due to the absence of a high-temperature formate complex from the catalyst surface.