Catalytic properties of ytterbium oxide with respect to dehydrogenation and dehydration reactions of alcohol and dehydrogenation of tetralin

Catalytic performance of porous Yb2O3 sesquioxide

“…Ytterbia (Yb 2 O 3 ) is a rare earth oxide, which is of significant interest to sensor and laser technologies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], and as an aid for sintering and doping of different ceramics [8][9][10], as well as numerous catalytic applications [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. One of the applications included Yb 2 O 3 being used as selective emitters in high-temperature sensors due to its ability to emit radiation selectively in the infrared region when returning to the ground state after being heated up [6].…”

“…Yb 2 O 3 has also been considered as a potential catalyst for commercial reactions [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Yb 2 O 3 was used to promote vapour phase dehydration of 3-buten-1-ol (3B1OL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) to 1,3-butadiene (BD) for the production of synthetic rubbers [11].…”

“…In addition, Yb 2 O 3 was used as an additive to improve the performance of Ni, where conversion of methane to CO and H 2 , otherwise known as syngas, was performed at lower temperatures of 300-700°C [16]. Yb 2 O 3 was also used for the conversion of alcohols and dehydrogenation of tetralin and it was found that Yb 2 O 3 , in comparison to Dy 2 O 3 , Gd 2 O 3 , and Tu 2 O 3 , had the highest dehydrogenating and dehydrating activity [17].…”