Studies on the ketonization of acetic acid on chromia. II. The surface reaction

The conversion of acetic acid to acetone on chromia and the decomposition of chromium acetate to give acetone were studied at various temperatures. Based on a comparison of the energies of activation and the previously established fact that both the dehydration and dehydrogenation activity of chromia are required for the ketonization reaction, a mechanism for the surface reaction of acetic acid on chromia is suggested and discussed. The observed break in the Arrhenius plot for the reaction of acetic acid on chromia is attributed to the ability of chromia to change its electronic character with change in temperature. © 1970.