Benzene-Oxygen Reaction over Alkaline Earth Metal Oxide Catalysts

Abstract

The benzene-oxygen reaction catalyzed by alkaline earth metal oxides was investigated in the temperature range 773-1, 073K to understand the catalytic function of these oxides for hydrocarbon gasification. In the initial stage of reaction, CO, CO₂, H₂O, and biphenyl were concurrently produced. The consumption of CO and H₂O by the water-gas shift reaction subsequently occurred to give CO₂ and H₂. CO oxidation with O₂ hardly occurred in the course of the benzene-oxygen reaction because benzene was preferentially adsorbed on the MgO catalyst. These reaction sequences were compared with those in the benzene-oxygen reaction catalyzed by metallic nickel.