Lewis acid properties of alumina based catalysts: study by paramagnetic complexes of probe molecules

Lewis acid properties of LiAl5O8/Al2O3 (2 wt.% Li) and MgAl2O4/Al2O3 (3 wt.% Mg) catalysts were studied by EPR of adsorbed probe molecules––anthraquinone and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO). The lesser (in comparison with γ-Al2O3) concentration and the strength of Lewis acid sites (LAS) formed on the surface of aluminate layer has been shown. The stability of this layer plays important role in the change of Lewis acid properties during the calcination of modified alumina. The lithium aluminate layer was stable at used calcination temperature, 773 K, meanwhile magnesium aluminate layer observed only at calcination temperature below 723 K. The increase of the calcination temperature to 773 K caused the segregation of MgAl2O4 on the surface resulted in the release of alumina surface and recovery of the Lewis acid properties. fferences in the LAS manifestations towards TEMPO and anthraquinone was discussed. The mechanism of the formation of anthraquinone paramagnetic complexes with LAS––three-coordinated aluminum ions––was proposed. This mechanism includes the formation of anthrasemiquinone, and then––anthrasemiquinone ion pair or triple ion. Fragments like –O–Al+–O– play the role of cations in these ion pairs and triple ions. Proposed mechanism can also be applied for the consideration of similar anthraquinone paramagnetic complexes on the surface of gallium oxide containing systems.