CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF FE-MODIFIED ALPO4 CATALYST IN CYCLOHEXENE SKELETAL ISOMERIZATION

Iron-modified AlPO4 catalysts (0.5-5 wt.% Fe2O3) have been prepared by impregnation until incipient wetness with different iron(III) salts. The resulting solids, after characterization by surface area, XRD and DRIFT measurements, were checked for their surface acidity through their catalytic activity towards cyclohexene skeletal isomerization test reaction. It was found that iron(III) increases the catalytic performance of AlPO4 and besides, the iron(III) salt used strongly influences the activity. Thus, the catalysts prepared using complexed iron(III) salts as starting materials presented higher specific activity (and hence, acidity) than those prepared using iron(III) nitrate. Moreover, a maximum in activity was found for 2 wt.% Fe2O3.