Decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons on iron-group metals

The decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane and chlorobenzene on nickel-alumina, cobalt-alumina, and iron-alumina catalysts at 400-600 degreesC was studied. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrated that the susceptibility of metals to chlorination under exposure to HCl increases in the order Ni < Co < Fe. The addition of hydrogen to the reaction mixture was found to dramatically decrease the rate of carbon deposition in the decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane because of the intense hydrogenation of intermediates that are graphite precursors. Two fundamentally different reaction paths were found in the degradation of 1,2-dichloroethane: decomposition via a carbide-cycle mechanism with the formation of carbon as the main product (under conditions of a deficiency of hydrogen) and 1,2-dichloroethane hydrodechlorination accompanied by methanation of the formed carbon (under conditions of an excess of hydrogen). The degradation of chlorobenzene diluted with hydrogen in a molar ratio of 1 : 50 was not accompanied by carbon formation on the catalyst. A comparison between the selectivity for reaction products on nickel-alumina and cobalt-alumina catalysts indicated that the former catalyst is more active in the rupture of C-C bonds and in the methanation reaction of deposited carbon, whereas the latter is more favorable for hydrodechlorination. The optimum conditions and thermal regime for efficient and stable operation of the catalysts were found.