Isoprene formation from CO and H2 over CeO2 catalysts

The CO-H2 reaction over CeO2 catalysts at around 623 K and 67 kPa forms isoprene with about 20% and 70% selectivities in total and C5 hydrocarbons, respectively. The formation of dienes may be due to the low and high activity of CeO2 for alkene and CO hydrogenation, respectively.