| abstract |
Para-ethyltoluene dehydrogenation catalyst compositions and processes for using such catalysts are provided. The catalyst compositions comprise a catalytically active iron compound, e.g., iron oxide; a potassium catalyst promoter, e.g., potassium carbonate; an optional chromium compound stabilizer, e.g., chromic oxide, and a gallium compound, e.g., gallium trioxide. Utilization of particular amounts of gallium compound in dehydrogenation catalyst compositions of this type will provide a catalyst especially suitable for promoting the selective dehydrogenation of para-ethyltoluene to form para-methylstyrene with sustained catalyst activity, with minimized aromatic ring loss and with minimal formation of popcorn polymer from the reaction effluent. |