Stabilization of Sm2O3 based catalysts in oxidative methylation of toluene

Abstract Phase transformation of cubic Sm 2 O 3 in Sm 2 O 3 based catalysts in oxidative methylation of toluene could be prevented by addition of ZnO. The preservation of the c-Sm 2 O 3 phase of the catalysts during the oxidative methylation of toluene was correlated with the catalyst stability in terms of product selectivities. A homogeneous interaction for the formation of a stable ZnO modified c-Sm 2 O 3 phase was considered.