Rake mechanism for the deoxygenation of ethanol over a supported Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst

► The catalytic deoxygenation of ethanol was studied on a Ni2P/SiO2 catalyst. ► Acetaldehyde was a primary product and ethylene a secondary product. ► The reaction proceeded by a rake mechanism involving a series of surface intermediates. ► In situ FTIR and a kinetic simulation supported the proposed mechanism.