Improving oxidative dehydrogenation of 1-butene to 1,3-butadiene on Al2O3 by Fe2O3 using CO2 as soft oxidant

•The important role of Fe2O3 is proved both for increasing 1-butene conversion and 1,3-butadiene (BD) selectivity.•Isomerization is a faster reaction compared to the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction.•In situ DRIFTS suggests a promotion effect of CO2 on the activation of 1-butene over Fe2O3/Al2O3 catalyst.

The gradually increasing demand on 1,3-butadiene (BD) requires alternative production routes. Catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of 1- butene to BD using CO2 as soft oxidant was proved as a potential process and thus systematically studied over Fe2O3/Al2O3 catalysts. It was found that the loaded Fe2O3 promotes oxygen mobility and modifies the surface acidity of Al2O3, leading to a higher 1-butene conversion and BD selectivity; the highest ones were obtained on 20 wt.% Fe2O3/Al2O3 at 600 °C. The in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy studies revealed that CO2 is essential to promote the activation of 1-butene on the Fe2O3 catalysts and thus BD production.

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