Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane Over Novel Li/Dy/Mg Mixed Oxides: Structure–Activity Study

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene was studied using variously prepared Li/Dy/Mg/Cl mixed metal oxides as catalysts. The catalytic performance was found to be strongly dependant on the method of preparation and the LiCl content of the solids. Ethylene yields of up to 77% were obtained with catalysts prepared by precipitation of the catalyst precursors with an equimolar mixture of NH4Cl and HCl, and subsequent calcination in synthetic air (i.e., absence of CO2). Both highest ethylene yields and best long-term stability were achieved with catalysts having the highest chloride loading.