Alkali metal–naphthalene adducts as reagents for neutralizing oxide surfaces, and the effect of alkali metal treated surfaces in rh-catalysed synthesis gas (CO + H2) conversion

Abstract

M + C₁₀H₈˙^– adducts (M = Li, Na, K) are effective reagents for eliminating acidity from the surfaces of siO₂, ZrO₂ or zeolie y; the treated surfaces [SiO₂+ Li +, Na +,Na + from M + C₁₀H₈˙^–, SiO₂+ Na + from NaNo₃ or zrO₂+ Na⁺ from Na⁺C₁₀H₈˙^–] function as novel supports for heterogeneous Rh [from Rh₄(CO)₁₂] catalysts in the conversion of CO + H₂ into MeOH with > 90% selectivity at 40–95 bar adn 250–300 °C, which contrasts with the formation of CH₄over rh on the untreated oxides.