Vapour phase catalytic transformations of terpene hydrocarbons in the C10H16 series. III. Dehydrogenation of Δ3-carene over modified chromia and chromia–alumina catalysts

Abstract

The vapour phase dehydrogenation of 3-carene has been studied over chromia, chromia–alumina, chromia doped with potassium, and chromia–alumina doped with potassium and fluoride ions. Addition of potassium to chromia and chromia–alumina up to 1% by weight does not significantly affect the overall conversion of 3-carene whereas it increases its dehydrogenation to p- and m-cymenes. Potassium ions above 1% lower both the total conversion and dehydrogenation of 3-carene to cymenes. The ratio of p- to m-cymene over chromia–alumina is enhanced by added potassium ions up to 2%, but over chromia it remains unaffected. Addition of potassium to chromia decreases the formation of menthanes and menthadienes but its addition to chromia–alumina reduces the formation of menthanes and increases that of menthadienes. Impregnation of chromia–alumina with hydrofluoric acid suppresses the formation of menthadienes and increases that of menthanes. All these are explained in terms of the effect of added potassium and fluoride ions on the acidity of the catalysts.