Efficient self-metathesis of 1-butene on molybdenum oxide supported on silica modified one-dimensional γ-Al2O3

1-Butene, abundant but inexpensive in industry, can be used to produce more valuable propene and ethene through the well-known metathesis reaction. In terms of catalyst system of molybdena, controlling the interaction between the molybdena and the support is quite crucial. A special support, i.e., well-shaped one-dimensional γ-Al 2 O 3 with uniform diameters of ∼10   nm and lengths of ∼100   nm, has been synthesized via oleylamine-assisted hydrothermal method. The molybdenum oxides are well controlled in sizes of moderate aggregation suitable for 1-butene metathesis with a fairly high rate of propene production (38.9   ×   10 −9   mol   m −2   s −1 , 30   mol% yield in a single pass) under mild conditions. The status of MoO x species in the catalyst has been investigated by solid state 29 Si MAS NMR, Raman, UV–vis, H 2 -TPR and NH 3 -TPD techniques. The catalyst, highly stable after twelve times of regeneration, is important for practical utilization for the metathesis reactions.