CONVERSION OF ISOPROPANOL AND CRACKING OF CUMENE ON CR2O3-ZRO2 CATALYSTS

Pure ZrO2 and a series of Cr2O3-ZrO2 catalysts of different chemical compositions were prepared and calcined in the temperature range 673-973 degrees K. The surface area of the catalysts was measured from the adsorption of nitrogen at 77 degrees K. The surface acidity (acid amount and acid strength) was determined by the amine titration method. The catalytic activity of the investigated catalysts towards the conversion of isopropanol and cracking of cumene was followed at different temperatures using a pulse microcatalytic reactor, The activities of the catalysts for the two reactions were correlated with the chemical composition and with the acidic properties. Dehydration and dehydrogenation of isopropanol are zero order reactions, Dehydration activity is related to the cumulative acidity of Ho = +4.8 - +0.8 while dehydrogenation activity is sensitive to the chromia content. Cracking of cumene is a first order reaction and proceed on a relatively strong acid centres.