Stable Deacon Process for HCl Oxidation over RuO₂

Abstract

Selective substitution: In the oxidation of HCl with oxygen to give Cl2 and water, RuO2(110) serves as a stable, active model catalyst for the Sumitomo process (see picture; Ru in red and blue). The stability of the catalyst is related to the selective replacement of undercoordinated bridging surface O atoms (Obr) by Cl atoms (Clbr). The chlorination of RuO2(110) is self-limiting, in that chlorine incorporation terminates when all bridging O atoms are replaced.