The High acitivity of palladium for the catalytic reduction of nitrous oxide by alkanes larger than methane

The reduction of N₂O by C1 to C4 alkanes over Pd/SiO₂ under stoichiometric conditions has been investigated. The reaction using propane is much faster than the corresponding reaction over silica-supported Pt or Rh. Isobutane reacts with N₂O at a similar rate to propane while ethane is somewhat less reactive and methane unreactive except transiently after oxidising pretreatments. The difference in activity between alkanes correlates with the C–H bond strength. The N₂O/propane reaction is quenched by low concentrations of O₂ but activity recovers immediately it is removed. Water also inhibits indicating that part of the palladium is oxidised under reaction conditions.5 page(s