NON-OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION PROCESS

摘要

The invention relates to the preparation of a compound of formula R1-C(R2)=CH2 (R1 and R2 are a phenyl, alkyl or alkenyl group or a hydrogen atom) by contacting a mixture of steam and a compound of formula R1-C(R2)(H)-CH3 at elevated temperature under non-oxidative dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst having a spinel structure, allows lower ratios steam to compound of formula R1-C(R2)(H)-CH3, a higher selectivity to the compound of formula R1-C(R2)=CH2 and a lower temperature when lithium is present in the spinel structure. Further to compositions having lithium in and an alkali metal oxide outside the spinel structure, provided that the compositions have a surface area not above 8.1 m2/g when the only constituent of the composition which does not form part of the spinel structure is lithium oxide and to a process for the preparation of these compositions.