The role of pore structure in the catalytic behavior of “unaged” and “aged” silica-alumina catalysts

This is a review of research concerning the role played by the porous structure of silica-alumina catalysts on the evolution of organic catalytic processes. A strong effect of the geometrical shape of the pores on catalytic activity and selectivity has been evidenced. The experimental results have also been interpreted by means of a simplified mathematical model, able to relate selectivity for a reaction of the type A → B → C to the geometrical features of macro-microporous catalyst pellets, or granules. The theoretical results are in qualitatively satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.