The effect of supported MoOx structures on the reaction pathways of propene formation in the metathesis of ethylene and 2-butene

The kind of surface MoOx structures on Al2O3-SiO2 was found to determine propene selectivity in the metathesis of ethylene and 2-butene. Compared to isolated tetrahedral MoOx species, their polymerized octahedral counterparts show significantly lower activity for isomerisation of 2- to 1-butene thus hindering non-selective metathesis of these butenes. In addition, they reveal higher ability to engage ethylene in propene formation.