Non-oxidative conversion of ethane to ethylene over transition metals supported on Mg–Al mixed oxide: Preliminary screening of catalytic activity and coking ability

Conversion of ethane into ethylene and hydrogen at 700 °C over pre-reduced Mg–Al mixed oxide-supported transition metal M catalysts (M = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) has been studied. The catalysts were prepared from layered double hydroxide precursors synthesized by conventional coprecipitation of metal cations under basic conditions. The results of preliminary screening tests revealed that among all catalysts the chromium-containing material demonstrated the most attractive catalytic behavior showing ethane conversion markedly higher than with other catalysts, considerably high selectivity to ethylene, and a low coking ability.