Effect of the acidity of alumina over Pt, Pd, and Pt-Pd (1:1) based catalysts for 2-propanol dehydration reactions

► Catalysts of Pt, Pd and Pt-Pd were impregnated on alumina of different acidity. ► The catalytic activity was tested on the 2-propanol dehydration reaction. ► The Pt/Al2O3 basic showed 100% selectivity towards diisopropyl-ether at 523 K. ► The Pt-Pd/Al2O3 weakly acidity showed 100% selectivity towards propene at 523 K. ► The Pt and Pt-Pd catalysts showed great stability during the reaction for 5 h.