Issue 40, 2023

Cu-loaded zeolites enable the selective activation of ethane to ethylene at low temperatures and pressure

Abstract

Cu-zeolites are found to activate the C–H bond of ethane already at 150 °C in a cyclic protocol and form ethylene with a high selectivity. Both the zeolite topology and Cu content are found to impact the ethylene yield. Ethylene adsorption studies with FT-IR, demonstrate that oligomerization of ethylene occurs over protonic zeolites, while this reaction does not occur over Cu-zeolites. We postulate that this observation is the origin of the high ethylene selectivity. Based on the experimental results, we propose that the reaction proceeds via the formation of an ethoxy intermediate.

Graphical abstract: Cu-loaded zeolites enable the selective activation of ethane to ethylene at low temperatures and pressure

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
27 Feb 2023
Accepted
18 Apr 2023
First published
18 Apr 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Commun., 2023,59, 6052-6055

Cu-loaded zeolites enable the selective activation of ethane to ethylene at low temperatures and pressure

K. Kvande, S. Prodinger, B. G. Solemsli, S. Bordiga, E. Borfecchia, U. Olsbye, P. Beato and S. Svelle, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 6052 DOI: 10.1039/D3CC00948C

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