Vapour phase catalytic transformations of terpene hydrocarbons in the C10H16 series. IV. Effect of nitrogen, hydrogen, and pyridine on the dehydrogenation of Δ3-carene over chromia and chromia-alumina catalysts

The influences of nitrogen, hydrogen, and pyridine on the conversion of 3-carene into various products over chromia catalyst at 450 °C and over chromia–alumina at 400 °C have been investigated. Nitrogen acts as a diluent over these catalysts; hydrogen at low partial pressures enhances the formation of cymenes over chromia, but suppresses its formation over chromia–alumina. Increase of the partial pressure of hydrogen increases the proportion of men thanes over chromia–alumina, but decreases it over chromia catalyst. Pyridine suppresses the over-all conversion of 3-carene and the formation of cymenes over chromia and chromia–alumina; however, it increases the formation of menthadienes over chromia–alumina. These observations are explained in terms of the acidity of chromia and chromia–alumina, the diluting effects of nitrogen, hydrogen, and pyridine, and their ability to adsorb and desorb over the catalyst surfaces.