Identification of A Catalytically Active Copper Oxychloride Phase for The Synthesis of Maleic Anhydride

An investigation of the partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride has identified a new catalytically active material for this conversion, namely copper (II) oxychloride. The formation of this phase from copper (II) trihydroxychloride has been characterised by XRD and TGA. Catalytic activity was measured using a microprocessor controlled microreactor under flow conditions with product stream analysis being performed by a single injection into a gas chromatograph. The catalytic activity was observed to deactivate rapidly. It was concluded, by the use of TGA and XRD, that the deactivation process was due to chlorine loss.