Research
Methylation of Aniline over Mn-Cu Ferrites Catalysts
The structural and catalytic properties of the mixed spinel ferrite system Mn1-xCuxFe2O4 (x=0, 0.25, 0.5,0.75, 1.0) have been investigated by X-Ray diffraction, Mössbauer and catalytic activity measurements. The variation of lattice parameter, crystallite size, and Mössbauer parameters of the product formed with the variation in the concentration of Cu has been studied. XRD Study revealed the formation of phase pure spinels with FCC cubic structure with particle size ranging from 5.21 nm to 20 nm. Lattice constant values showed constant decrease with increasing concentration. Mössbauer spectra showed the presence of Fe3+ at both octahedral and tetrahedral sites. These ferrites were used as catalysts in the alkylation of Aniline. A maximum conversion of 80.5 % of aniline with selectivity of 98.6 % towards N-methylaniline (NMA) has been obtained at a temperature 673 K, Methanol : Aniline molar ratio of 5:1 and weight hour space velocity (WHSV) of 0.2 h-1. It was found that the yield is maximum for CuFe2O4. The result is supported by acidity measurements.
Kinetics Studies and Mechanism Evolution of the Cyclization of Ethylene Diamine and Propylene Glycol over Alumina Supported Nanocrystalline Mn-Ferrite
Kinetics of Cyclization of propylene glycol and ethylene diamine to 2-methyl pyrazine has been studied over alumina-supported nanocrystalline MnFe2O4 catalyst in a differential flow fixed bed reactor in the temperature range 473 – 573 K. The partial pressures of propylene glycol and ethylene diamine were varied and rates were measured for the formation of 2 Methyl Pyrazine. Product selectivity as well as rate of formation of 2-methyl pyrazine was influenced by partial pressure of reactants. The rate equation R = k KP.KE PP PE / (1+ K P PP+K E PE )2 deduced, on the basis of adsorption of PG and ED in gas phase represented the data most satisfactorily.
