Influence of water vapor on the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of various hydrogen acceptors

Abstract

1. Water vapor influences the activity and selectivity of a vanadium-magnesium catalyst during the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of hydrogen acceptors, viz., oxygen, nitrobenzene, and sulfur dioxide, reducing the formation of carbon on the surface of the catalyst and promoting elongation of the operation of the catalyst without regeneration. 2. Water vapor provides for the formation of the optimally active catalyst surface, which contains vanadium ions in high oxidation states with octahedral coordination.