Dehydrocyclization of Diphenylamine to Carbazole over Platinum-Based Bimetallic Catalysts

Gas phase dehydrocyclization of diphenylamine (DPA) to carbazole over monometallic and bimetallic 0.4 wt% Pt-based catalysts in a fixed bed reactor was studied in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature of 550 °C. Alumina and carbon supported Pt catalysts showed very high initial activity (> 95%). The selectivity for carbazole over carbon supported Pt catalysts was slightly lower. Doping of the catalyst with potassium led to an increase in the selectivity for carbazole by 15%. Bimetallic Pt-Sn catalysts prepared by co-impregnation were less selective than catalysts prepared by successive impregnation. The selectivity for carbazole over bimetallic Pt-Sn catalysts prepared by successive impregnation was 75%, but their activity decreased with increased Sn loading. Highly active and reasonably selective catalysts were Ir-doped bimetallic Pt-based catalysts. The conversion of diphenylamine over Pt-Ir catalysts was above 98% and the selectivity for carbazole was nearly 55%, while the lifetime was much longer.

Pt catalysts doped with Ir gave very high activity, good selectivity, and markedly prolonged lifetime as compared with monometallic Pt catalysts.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide