The cumulative chemisorption of cyanogen chloride on a carbon-supported catalyst (whetlerite)

Abstract The kinetic chemisorption of cyanogen chloride (ClCN) on whetlerite was studied with constant flow parameters. There is a concurrent evolution of CO2 during the removal of ClCN which is attributed to the reaction of the hydrolysis product, HCl, with the original carbonate content of the whetlerite. Two molecules of ClCN were retained and one molecule of CO2 was formed. The slowly decreasing appearance of CO2 after the cut-off of ClCN was attributed to the surface migration of HCl from the reaction site to the carbonate site. A scavenger for HCl added to the original whetlerite provided longer breakthrough times for ClCN. The overall decrease in BET surface area after the challenge is ascribed to the retention of nonvolatile hydrolysis products: cyanic acid (HOCN) and/or the trimer cyanuric acid.