Validity of using isopropanol decomposition as a test-reaction for the characterization of metal oxides basicity; comparison with results obtained from methylbutynol decomposition

Abstract

Isopropanol and methylbutynol decomposition have been studied under He stream, at 483 K and 453 K, respectively, on different solids to characterize their basicity. The oxides studied included MgO, ZnO and the corresponding aluminates ZnAl 2O 4, Zn 4Al 2O 7, MgAl 2O 4, Mg 4Al 2O 7. We observe that isopropanol decomposition only occurs on ZnO and Zn aluminates, and is not observed on MgO and Mg aluminates, well known as basic oxides. In contrast, all the oxides studied are active towards methylbutynol with formation of acetone and acetylene.