CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

MgCrO catalysts have been prepared from the corresponding acetates following three different procedures and they were characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET specific surface area, FTIR and EPR. The characterization results revealed that a spinel highly organized with an excess of oxygen at the surface was obtained irrespective of preparation method. The initial crystallization temperature was around 450°C, lower than that required if the preparation was from oxides. The samples calcined at 500°C were tested in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol. They were active at 260ºC with selectivity to acetaldehyde higher than 75%. The sample obtained by using citric acid led to a relatively lower COX formation due likely to a lower oxygen excess at the surface.