Oxidative Reactions of Dimethyl Ether to Oxygenates on Supported
Metal Oxides
RESEARCH GROUP: Laboratory for the Science and Applications of Catalysis
RESEARCH DIRECTOR:
Enrique Iglesia, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of
California at Berkeley and Faculty Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
SUMMARY:
This project addresses the conversion of dimethylether
and methanol to oxygenates, with emphasis on mechanistic studies and site
requirements for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds in reactions of oxygen-containing
molecules on dispersed metal oxides. The research project aims to develop
effective catalysts for these reactions through the synthesis of novel oxide
nanostructures on basic supports and the structural and functional characterization
of such structures for these reactions. Initial studies include exploring
the function and mechanism of active sites for oxidative dimerization of
dimethylether (DME) to dimethoxyethane (DMET), intramolecular isomerization
of DME to ethanol, and carbonylation of DME to methyl acetate and related
oxygenates. These studies are supported by applications of X-ray diffraction,
X-ray absorption, Raman and infrared spectroscopies. Novel methods are being
developed as part of this project for in situ UV-visible spectroscopy studies
of redox and acid sites, for titration of vacancies and of acid sites during
catalysis, and for the selective probing of each specific oxide on binary
oxide surfaces. These methods will be combined with kinetic and isotopic
tracer methods for probing the structural and site requirements and the mechanism
of DME conversion reactions. Recent efforts have uncovered proprietary
materials for the selective conversion of DME to formaldehyde.
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Last Updated 01/25/02.