The Isomerization of Propylene Oxide on Metal Phosphate Catalysts

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Abstract
The isomerization of propylene oxide was carried out on metal phosphate catalysts. The main products were allyl alcohol, propionaldehyde, acetone, and 1-propanol. It was found that allyl alcohol is produced by acid-base bifunctional catalysts, acetone, by basic-site catalysts only, and propionaldehyde, by acid-site catalysts. 1-Propanol may be produced by the hydrogen-transfer reaction of allyl alcohol. The conversion to propionaldehyde is proportional to the acidity of the catalyst, the strength of which is stronger than H0=+4.8. The sum of the conversions to allyl alcohol, acetone, and 1-propanol correlate linearly with the observed basicity (H0≥+7.2) of the catalyst. The selectivity and activity are determined by the basic and acidic properties of the catalyst. The mechanisms of the propylene oxide isomerization are also discussed.