CO2-assisted dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde
over Cu nanoparticles dispersed on CeO2 was reported. Cu
nanoparticles with an average size of ∼11.4 nm dispersed over
CeO2 cubes were efficient in selective conversion of benzyl
alcohol with a rate of formation of benzaldehyde of 250.99 μmol
s–1 gcat
–1. The high
rate of reaction might be due to the miscibility of BOH in CO2, which led to enhanced diffusion of BOH reactant molecules
toward active sites. The controlled surface acid–base sites
were responsible for the activation of benzyl alcohol, and nearby
Cu nanoparticles abstracted α-H of benzyl alcohol to form benzaldehyde.
During a time on stream study, the Cu-CeO2 catalyst experienced
a gradual deactivation in the presence of N2 as the carrier
gas, while in the presence of CO2, it delivered constant
activity for 24 h. In the presence of N2, in-situ generated
hydrogen was responsible for the formation of much toluene via hydrogenolysis
of benzyl alcohol. CO2 acted as a soft oxidant, which minimized
the in-situ generated hydrogen via the reverse water gas shift reaction;
as a result, the toluene formation and deposition of carbonaceous
species were minimized.
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