Vapor phase hydrofluorination of acetylene to vinyl fluoride over La2O3-Al2O3 catalysts

A series of La-doped Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared and tested for the vapor phase hydrofluorination of C₂H₂ to vinyl fluoride (CH₂CHF, VF). It was found that the La-doped catalyst gave a stable catalytic performance and a higher selectivity to the desired VF and a lower selectivity to coke deposition compared with the pure Al₂O₃ catalyst. The enhancement in VF selectivity on the La-doped catalyst was due to the elimination of acidic sites on the Al₂O₃ surface by the addition of La₂O₃, evidenced by NH₃-TPD results, which could also explain the declined selectivity to coke deposition on the catalyst. Raman result indicated there were two different vibration forms of CH distortion and CC expansion for the coke deposition.