ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROCESSES OVER NANOSIZED GOLD CATALYSTS.

One-step vapor phase oxidation of aliphatic hydrocarbons over nanosized gold catalysts by using oxygen is carried out. Selective oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide, propane to acetone and isobutene to t-butanol with hydrogen-oxygen mixture in flow conditions is investigated. The reaction occurs at the interface perimeter of the support around the gold particles. The activity of these catalysts can be attributed to synergetic effects between gold and titanium. Adsorption of nitrogen oxide over the so synthesized nanosized gold catalysts is investigated by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Different mononitrosyls and dinitrosyls adsorbed species as well as nitro- and nitro-nitrito complexes are observed. The influence of time and temperature on the stability of these species is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]