Dismutation of CFC-12 on alumina: reaction mechanism and the role of surface acidity Original Research Article

Dismutation of CF2Cl2 on differently pretreated alumina samples and the role of surface acidity in this reaction were investigated in the temperature range of 200–350 °C and at a CF2Cl2 partial pressure of 0.025 atm. Our results support a reaction mechanism involving the direct participation of the surface in halogenating the reacting CF2Cl2 molecule without any need for this reaction to occur in a concerted manner. Surface acidity was found to enhance the activation process of alumina and to suppress its deactivation at low temperatures and at low CF2Cl2 partial pressures.