NEW VANADIUM-COPPER-ZINC CATALYSTS, THEIR CHARACTERIZATION AND USE IN THE CATALYTIC DEHYDROGENATION OF ETHANOL

New vanadium-copper-zinc and vanadium-copper or copper-zinc complex compounds were prepared with variable Cu/(Cu + Zn) atomic ratios with a theoretical (Cu + Zn)/V ratio of 1 by the reaction of ammonium vanadate with mixtures of copper and/or zinc ammonia complexes. The catalysts obtained from the reduction of these new compounds were systematically analyzed by the B.E.T. method and the surface copper concentration was determined by titration with nitrous oxide decomposition. Ethanol was dehydrogenated into ethanol only (selectivity of 100%) at 190-degrees-C under both dynamic and differential conditions. Physical mixtures of copper and vanadium or zinc oxides were also prepared and evaluated in the dehydrogenation reaction. The dehydrogenation reaction was insensitive to the structure of the ternary catalysts but the presence of vanadium lowers the TOF to a level well below that of pure copper. Pure copper exhibits the lowest 'atomic rate' of all the series. Support effects were found with mechanical mixtures.