Zeolite Active Sites Research Articles

Catalytic Activity of Proton Exchanged Y-Zeolite for the Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The influence of the treatment of proton exchanged Y-zeolite (HY) with hydrogen was studied in order to characterize the active sites in zeolite for the vapor phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Effects of the percentage of sodium ion replaced by H, addition of pyridine or water, and calcination temperature were also investigated in connection with the oxidation activity.The oxidation activity (yield of benzaldehyde yield of benzoic acid) of HY was decreased to about two-third by treatment with hydregen for 15 hrs at 500 C.Marked increases in yields of benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzyl ether and toluene were found at 40 60% ion-exchange by H. By addition of pyridine, the yields of these products were decreased. Addition of water resulted in increase of yield of benzyl ether and decrease, in the oxidation activity. Yield of benxaldehyde was increased by calcination at temperatures ranging between 500eC and 550 C, while yield of benzyl ether was decreased by the calcination about 450 C.