Kinetic and Mechanistic Study of the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Isobutane over Cobalt and Nickel Molybdates

The kinetics and mechanism of the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane on nickel and cobalt molybdates are studied. Cobalt molybdate is found to be more active than nickel molybdate. The rate laws and mechanisms for the formation of isobutene, carbon oxides, and cracking products are the same for both catalysts. Isobutene is formed via the redox mechanism with the participation of lattice oxygen. The formation of carbon oxide occurs with the participation of chemisorbed oxygen. The steps of the mechanism are proposed.