Common Decomposition Pathways of 1-Epoxy-3-butene and 2-Butenal on Pd(111)

Abstract

High resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) were employed to study the decomposition of 1-epoxy-3-butene (EpB) and 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde, CrHO) on Pd(111). HREELS investigations indicate that both EpB and CrHO decompose through a common surface aldehyde intermediate that is distinct from molecular CrHO. The surface aldehyde intermediate decomposes to yield the gas phase decarbonylation products CO and propylene, as well as H 2 . Comparison with previous studies suggests that Pd is unique compared to previously studied surfaces in its reactivity with EpB and CrHO.