ADSORPTION OF FORMALDEHYDE ON MODEL MGO SURFACES - EVIDENCE FOR THE CANNIZZARO REACTION Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Simultaneous formation of formate and methoxide species from formaldehyde on model MgO surfaces was observed with XPS and UPS. This reaction can be explained by a mechanistic route similar to the liquid-phase Cannizzaro reaction. The surface sites involved in this reaction are the base sites which are also responsible for the dissociation of methanol and water, as demonstrated by blocking experiments with these reagents. The difference between this reaction and the reaction of formaldehyde on other oxides to produce formates exclusively suggests that the operative pathways for consumption of hydrogen atoms eliminated from the carbonyl group may determine the reaction selectivity for formaldehyde conversion on oxide surfaces. 1989, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

published proceedings

  • LANGMUIR

author list (cited authors)

  • PENG, X. D., & BARTEAU, M. A.

citation count

  • 57

complete list of authors

  • PENG, XD||BARTEAU, MA

publication date

  • July 1989