FT-IR Study of Propylene Oxide Adsorption on Metal Oxides

The adsorption of propylene oxide (PO) onto MgO, ZnO and Al2O3was investigated by usingin situ-IR measurements. Detailed mechanisms for PO adsorption onto these metal oxides are proposed. It was found that the PO epoxide ring exhibits two opening tendencies, depending on the acid-base properties of the metal oxide. PO adsorbed onto MgO is preferentially opened at the O-C (1) bond. The epoxide ring provides two ways to open, at the O-C (1) or the O-C(2) bond on Al2O3. PO adsorbed onto ZnO showed no chemical adsorption on its surface.