Catalytic oxidative cracking as a route to olefins: Oxidative conversion of hexane over MoO3-Li/MgO

Li/MgO shows promise as catalyst for oxidative cracking of hexane. However, it suffers from low catalyst activity and slight deactivation. Aiming at higher yields of C2–C4 olefins during the oxidative cracking of hexane, modification of sol–gel Li/MgO with MoO3 is reported. The influence of varying loadings of MoO3 on performance of Li/MgO during the oxidative cracking of hexane has been studied. Catalyst with minimum MoO3 loading (0.5 wt%) shows best yields to C2–C4 olefins. Promotion by MoO3 maintains higher surface area upon calcination at T > 500 °C and improves catalyst stability significantly by minimizing surface carbonate formation.