Magnesia Synthesis via Sol−Gel:  Structure and Reactivity

Abstract

2-Propanol decomposition at 200 °C on magnesium oxide prepared by the hydrolysis of magnesium ethoxide (sol−gel method) is reported. With hydrochloride acid, acetic acid, or ammonia as hydrolysis alkoxide catalysts, the acidity and the selectivity to propene of the catalysts follow the sequence, MgO (HCl) > MgO (acetic acid) > MgO (ammonia). In contrast, the basicity of the samples, defined as the ratio dehydrogenation rate/dehydration rate, is found to be depending on the particle size of the catalysts. The basicity trend found is MgO (acetic acid) > MgO (ammonia) > MgO (HCl) and it correlates well with the particle size determined by the Rietveld refinement.