Activity of molybdena-alumina catalysts in propene metathesis: effect of the catalyst pretreatment and activation

Propene metathesis reaction in the presence of MoOJ/Al2OJ catalytic systems was investigated. The catalysts studied were highly selective and moderately active in propene metathesis at low temperature (303 K). The effect of preliminary thermal treatment and in situ activation on the catalyst activity was studied. Replacement of the standard calcination of the catalyst precursor with heating the precursor under vacuum improved the rate of the metathesis of diluted propene. The influence of the catalyst reduction and subsequent reoxidation on its activity was investigated too. The catalysts studied were characterised by XRD.