Selective Oxidation of <i>n</i>‐Butane and Isobutane Catalyzed by Boron Nitride

Abstract

Abstract Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is presented as an outstanding catalyst for the selective production of C 4 olefins by the oxidative dehydrogenation of n ‐butane and isobutane. Unlike catalysts reported previously, hBN limits the amount of undesired CO x and instead forms C 2 and C 3 olefins as the main side products. Kinetic experiments suggest a mechanism in which the rates of n ‐butane and isobutane consumption are dependent on O 2 adsorption. Kinetic and spectroscopic insights are used to formulate mechanistic hypotheses for the formation mechanisms of C 2 –C 4 olefins.