Catalytic properties of MoO3 reduced at different temperatures for the conversions of heptane and 2-propanol

Conversions of heptane and 2-propanol were carried out using H-2-reduced MoO3. The catalytic activity of H-2-reduced MoO3 for the isomerization of heptane increased in proportion to the extent of reduction, irrespective of reduction temperature. When MoO3 samples reduced at different temperatures were compared at a definite extent of reduction, however, MoO3 reduced at 573 and 623 K exhibited higher isomerization activities than that at 673 K. The dehydration and dehydrogenation of 2-propanol proceeded simultaneously on H-2-reduced MoO3 catalysts, indicating the presence of the dual sites, MoO3 reduced at 623 K was most active for the dehydration to yield propene, while the highest dehydrogenation activity was obtained after reduction at 673 K. There was a good relationship between the isomerization activity and the rate of propene formation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.