Heterogeneous Catalytic Oxidation of Acrolein to Acrylic Acid: Mechanism and Catalysts

Abstract Partial oxidation of acrolein is a commercially important reaction, its product—acrylic acid—being widely used industrially for producing resins, dyes, glues, nonwoven fabrics, etc. Partial oxidation of acrolein is also a convenient model reaction because: (1) the number of reaction products is moderate (CO, CO2, acrylic acid) and (2) their difference in acid-base properties from the starting material makes it possible to select desirable catalysts by applying directly and efficiently Boreskov's concept of intermediate chemical interaction of a catalyst with reaction mixture components. According to this concept 1, the transformation of surface intermediates (SI) formed in the interaction of reactants with a catalyst's surface is determined by the structure and bond energy of these SI. The study of the reaction mechanism includes determination of structures and energy characteristics of the surface intermediates and the elucidation of their connection with catalyst chemical composition and reaction routes to particular products. This reliable information helps us to understand the nature of catalyst action and to elaborate the theory of catalyst selection. We have used this method to approach the problem of the systematic selection of catalysts for the oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid. The review summarizes the research done in the lnstitute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences during recent years.