Vapor Phase Ketonization of Acetic Acid on Ceria Based Metal Oxides

Abstract

The activities of CeO2, Mn2O3–CeO2 and ZrO2–CeO2 were measured for acetic acid ketonization under reaction conditions relevant to pyrolysis vapor upgrading. We show that the catalyst ranking changed depending on the reaction conditions. Mn2O3–CeO2 was the most active catalyst at 350 °C, while ZrO2–CeO2 was the most active catalyst at 450 °C. Under high CO2 and steam concentration in the reactants, Mn2O3–CeO2 was the most active catalyst at 350 and 450 °C. The binding energies of steam and CO2 with the active phase were calculated to provide the insight into the tolerance of Mn2O3–CeO2 to steam and CO2.