Ammoxidation of Toluene by YBa2Cu3O6 + x and Copper Oxides. Activity and XPS Studies

The catalytic activities of YBa2Cu3O6+x and copper oxides have been studied in the ammoxidation of toluene. At low oxygen pressures, over YBa2Cu3O6+x selective ammoxidation to benzonitrile occurs, whereas at high pressures, only total combustion of toluene to carbon oxides is observed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of YBa2Cu3O6+x catalysts indicates predominance of Cu(I) states under partial ammoxidation conditions, while under total oxidation conditions, Cu(II) states are predominant. Comparison with the catalytic performance of copper oxide catalysts shows that differences do exist. The catalysis by YBa2Cu3O6+x is greatly influenced by the oxygen content of the bulk material despite its surface composition.