Carbon Catalysis: Dehydrogenation Reactions

Dehydrogenation reactions are usually catalyzed by metal oxides catalysts, for instance, by transition metal oxides. However, it is found that dehydrogenation reactions can occur over carbon materials without metal(oxide). We have tried to get a deep understand on this non-metal(oxide) catalyzed reaction and performed a series of dehydrogenation reaction such as the activation of ethane, propane, butane, pentane and ethylbenzene to styrene. Carbonyl groups are suggested as potential active sites. For the oxidative dehydrogenation, the reaction follows Langmuir−Hinshelwood mechanism. The potential and limitation of dehydrogenation reaction over carbon-only materials will be discussed.