Desorption of catalytic oxidation products of o-xylene from the surface of carbon catalysts

In a study of the oxidation of o-xylene on carbons (in the range of 523–573°K) under nonstationary conditions, it was found that considerable amounts of the reaction products (phthalic anhydride and CO₂) are adsorbed on the surface of the catalysts (phthalic anhydride more strongly than CO₂). The adsorption of the products is chemical in nature, like the adsorption of initial o-xylene. The bond between the adsorbates and the surface weakens with increase in the number of acidic groups on the surface. Since the active carbons are characterized by a higher basicity than the oxidized ones, in the first case the oxidation products of o-xylene are adsorbed more strongly and desorbed more slowly.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 499–503, July–August, 1986.