Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide with Palladium Chloride-Active Charcoal Catalyst

Abstract

Carbon monoxide was oxidized with palladium chloride-active charcoal catalyst in the presence of water. Carbon monoxide was catalytically oxidized to carbon dioxide even in the absence of redox reagent such as cupric chloride. The catalyst system was assumed to be composed of the oxidation of carbon monoxide by palladium (if) chloride and palladium being further oxidized by oxygen gas with the catalytic action of active charcoal. Its reactivity was about ten times that of ethylene.
The reaction rate was well simulated by the following equation.
It resulted in the conclusions that among several complexes present in the reaction system the active complex is [PdCl₂(C0)(Fl₂O)], , or the like, and that the rate determining step is the hydrolysis of the complex to form carbon dioxide and reduced palladium. The effects of the partial pressure of carbon monoxide and steam are understood according to the mechanism mentioned above.
The reoxidation of palladium by oxygen is very fast, and consequently, it is not rate determining despite the oxidation rate of carbon monoxide is very high.