Dehydrogenation of butenes over copper oxide supported on alumina under anaerobic conditions: Bifunctionality of the catalyst

•Dehydrogenation of butenes under an anaerobic condition was conducted.•CuO/Al2O3 showed a higher yield for 1,3-butadiene than CuO/SiO2.•CuO/Al2O3 exhibited better redox property and activation capability of 1-butene.•Both copper oxide and alumina were required to produce 1,3-butadiene selectively.

CuO/Al2O3 was used for dehydrogenation of butenes (1-butene, cis-2-butene, and trans-2-butene) to 1,3-butadiene at 200 °C under an anaerobic condition without an excessive amount of dilution. 1,3-butadiene was selectively obtained from butenes without the formation of carbon oxides over the CuO/Al2O3 catalyst. Bifunctionality of oxidation and C−H bond activation by CuO and Al2O3, respectively, were strongly required for the selective conversion of the butenes to 1,3-butadiene.

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