Investigation of the reaction mechanism of methylpyrazine ammoxidation on vanadia–titania catalyst by FTIR in situ

Abstract The mechanism of methylpyrazine ammoxidation on a vanadia–titania catalyst has been studied by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. The structure of surface intermediates has been identified and the sequence of their transformation in the temperature range of 150–230 °C has been ascertained. The interaction of methylpyrazine with catalyst surface includes a consecutive transformation of coordinatively bound methylpyrazine into oxygenated surface compounds, viz ., an aldehyde-like complex and an asymmetrical carboxylate. The main reaction product, amidopyrazine, is formed through the interaction of the surface oxyintermediates with adsorbed ammonia species.