FT-IR study of reactivity of bridged alkoxides on thoria

Reactivity of surface methoxides, ethoxides, 2-propoxides and tert-butoxides on thoria with water, an alcohol, and on heating has been studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. It was shown that at least two surface alkoxides are formed; simple (I) and the bridged (II) ones. Structure II can be hydrolyzed or alcoholyzed to structure I, and vice versa, structure I can form structure II upon heating. Alkoxides with β-hydrogens decompose to the corresponding alkenes. As indicated by kinetic data, the reaction scheme can be assumed as consecutive: I→II→alkene.