| Abstract: | Alkali‐metal doped sulfated zirconia catalysts were tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane into ethene. The effects of metal precursor compounds and acidic anion promoters on the catalytic activity in this reaction were studied. It was found that sulfation of zirconia increases the selectivity of ethane towards ethene. Lithium‐, sodium‐, and potassium‐doped sulfated zirconia catalysts showed quite different activities in this reaction. Sulfated zirconia doped with lithium catalysts were found to be effective for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane, giving over 90% selectivity to ethene and 25% ethene yield at 650 °C. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry |
