Transformations of simple ethers on dehydrating catalysts Communication 3. Effect of surface acidity on catalytic activity

Abstract

1. The introduction of titanium and silicon oxides into Al2O3 as well as its treatment with inorganic acids leads to an increase in the rate of disproportionation of simple ethers. The greatest increase in the rate, by a factor of almost 5 times, is observed in the case of aluminum oxide samples which have been treated with TiCl4, and HCl. 2. A parallel change was discovered in the rate of disproportionation and the surface acidity measured using the chemisorption of ammonia at 200°C as a function of the amounts of TiCl4, and HCl introduced. 3. On the basis of the data which had been obtained the proposal was made that the presence of Lewis acid centers is the main factor determining the activity of the catalysts in the disproportionation of simple ethers.