Analysis of Hydrolysis Reaction of Benzonitriles and Benzamides with Alumina Surface Studies by Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy

Masaru MITSUSHIO*, Shinichi KOMATSUõ and Satsuo KAMATAõõ

Department of Applied Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kagoshima University; 1-21-40, Korimoto, Kagoshima-shi 890-0065 Japan
õ NEC Yamaguchi, Higashimagura, Kusunoki, Asa, Yamaguchi 757-0298 Japan
õõ Department of Applied Chemical Enginnering, Faculty of Engineering, Kagoshima University; 1-21-40, Korimoto, Kagoshima-shi 890-0065 Japan

The chemisorption of benzonitrile and benzamide with methyl, chloro, and nitro groups at the p- or o-position on the alumina surface was investigated by using inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS). The chemisorbed species of nitrile and amide compounds were their corresponding carboxylic acids, in any case.
From these adsorbed species, it was judged that nitrile and amide were hydrolyzed by surrounding water on the alumina of acid catalyst. In the case of p-substituted compounds, both nitrile and amide were hydrolyzed and chemisorbed as the corresponding acids on the alumina surface. On the other hand, o-substituted compounds with methyl- or chloro-groups, were not hydrolyzed, whereas o-nitro-benzonitrile was hydrolyzed and adsorbed as the corresponding acid. The adsorption of unchanged nitrile molecule was also observed on the alumina surface. These are considered due to the effect of steric hindrance of o-substituted molecule.


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