Promoting Li/MgO Catalyst with Molybdenum Oxide for Oxidative Conversion of n-Hexane

Abstract

In this work, molybdena-promoted Li/MgO is studied as a catalyst for the oxidative conversion of n-hexane. The structure of the catalysts is investigated with X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The MoO3/Li/MgO catalyst contains three types of molybdena-containing species, the presence of which depend on molybdena loading. At low Mo/Li ratios (i) isolated dispersed [MoO4]2− anionic species are observed. At high Mo/Li ratios, the formation of crystalline lithium molybdate phases such as (ii) monomeric Li2MoO4 and tentatively (iii) polymeric Li2Mo4O13 are concluded. The presence of these lithium molybdates diminishes the formation of Li2CO3 in the catalyst. Subsequently, the catalyst maintains high surface area and stability with time-on-stream during oxidative conversion. Molybdena loading as low as 0.5 wt % is sufficient to induce these improvements, maintaining the non-redox characteristics of the catalyst, whereas higher loadings enhance deep oxidation and oxidative dehydrogenation reactions. Promoting a Li/MgO catalyst with 0.5 wt % MoO3 is thus efficient for selective conversion of n-hexane to alkenes, giving alkene yield up to 24% as well as good stability.