Photocatalytic oxidation of butyraldehyde over titania in air: By-product identification and reaction pathways

In this study, gas phase photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of n-butyraldehyde was carried out in a packed-bed reactor (titania supported on an inert packing). An on-line system consisting of two collection columns (one glass bead and one activated carbon) and a GC/MS was used for by-product identification. Various temperature levels (50, 90, 115, 170, 270, 320degreesC) were used in the by-product desorption from the activated carbon column. The oxidation yielded carbon dioxide as the end product. The by-products revealed many reaction pathways of the photocatalytic process. The major by-products (propionaldehyde, I-propanol, ethanol, and acetaldehyde) were believed to undergo a C-C bond cleavage followed by hydrolysis. Secondary by-products (propyl formate, di-n-propyl ether, and 3-heptene) were caused by esterification, dehydration, and reductive coupling. Aldol condensation of the vapor phase aldehydes on TiO2 surfaces followed by cyclization may be partially responsible for the formation of some minor by-products such as ethylbenzene.