Redox oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene over Mn–Al–O composites using active lattice oxygen at moderate temperatures

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethylbenzene is a promising process for styrene production. However, its application is limited by product overoxidation and purification requirements due to the co-feeding of mild oxidants. Herein, we report a facile manganese-based catalyst (K/Mn3O4-Al2O3) and achieve competitive styrene selectivity of 88 % and ethylbenzene conversion of 95 % at 450 ℃ (84 % yield vs. ∼ 60 % yield in commercial dehydrogenation process at 600 ℃) under a cyclic redox ODH scheme. The introduction of Al2O3 into MnOx restructures composite oxides and depresses bulk lattice-oxygen migration for the partial oxidation of ethylbenzene. The surface modification using potassium creates reactive sites and regulates surface properties, achieving ethylbenzene activation and high conversions. Highly active lattice oxygen in catalysts after bulk and surface modifications selectively converts ethylbenzene to styrene and water. This study provides an understanding of roles of manganese-based catalysts in styrene generation and offers a strategy to modulate lattice oxygen on catalysts.