Demonstrating Heterogeneous Gas-Phase Catalysis with the Gas Reaction Catalyst Tube

Ron Perkins

Bruce Mattson , Jiro Fujita , Rebecca Catahan , Wes Cheng , Jaclyn Greimann , Trisha Hoette , Paras Khandhar , Andrew Mattson , Anand Rajani and Patrick Sullivan

Thomas P Gonella

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (7), p 768

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p768

Publication Date (Web): July 1, 2003

Nine gas-phase reactions that can be accomplished with an inexpensive, commercially-available glass-encased, heterogeneous palladium catalyst tube are described. The catalyzed reactions are suitable for demonstrating gas-phase reactions in the classroom or teaching laboratory. The reactions described include air or oxygen oxidations (CH₄ + O₂, CO + O₂, NH₃ + O₂), hydrogenation of ethene, thermal decomposition of nitrous oxide, oxidations involving nitrogen dioxide (CH₄ + NO₂, CO + NO₂), and two oxidation reactions involving nitrous oxide (N₂O + NH₃, N₂O + CO). Several of the reactions demonstrate processes that take place in an automotive catalytic converter. In all cases, the products can be tested by simple chemical methods.