Redox properties of manganese-containing zirconia solid solution catalysts analyzed by in situ UV-vis spectroscopy and crystal field theory.

The optical absorption spectra of manganese-promoted sulfated zirconia, a highly active alkane isomerization catalyst, were found to be characterized by oxygen-to-manganese charge-transfer transitions at 300-320 nm and d-d transitions of manganese ions at 580 and 680 nm. The latter were attributed to Mn(4+) and Mn(3+) ions, which are known to be incorporated in the zirconia lattice. The oxygen surroundings of these ions were modeled assuming a substitutional solid solution. The crystal field splittings, vibronic coupling constants, and oscillator strengths of the manganese ions were calculated on the basis of a cluster model that considers the manganese center as a complex with the adjacent ions of the lattice as ligands. The ratio of Mn(3+) to Mn(4+) ions was determined using the spectra and the model, and the relative concentrations of Mn(2+), Mn(3+), and Mn(4+) ions were determined with the help of the average valence known from X-ray absorption data in the literature. The redox behavior of manganese-promoted sulfated zirconia in oxidizing and inert atmosphere was elucidated at temperatures ranging from 323 to 773 K.