IR study of acrolein hydrogenation over Co/SiO2 catalysts

Gas-phase and surface spectra are reported for Co/SiO2 exposed at 295 and 373 K, with and without hydrogen, to acrolein, propanal, allyl alcohol and propan-1-ol. Adsorbed species on silica, Co degrees and oxidised Co sites with accompanying oxide ions are discussed in relation to the hydrogenation reactions of acrolein. The dominant reaction involved propan-1-ol formation via propanal. Providing that Co degrees sites were present to dissociate hydrogen, hydrogenation of alkenyl groups in adsorbed species on silica or oxidised cobalt sites readily occurred but did not necessarily constitute a mechanism for product formation.