Alcohol Dehydration on Monooxo W═O and Dioxo O═W═O Species.

The dehydration of 1-propanol on nanoporous WO3 films prepared via ballistic deposition at ∼20 K has been investigated using temperature-programmed desorption, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory. The as-deposited films are extremely efficient in 1-propanol dehydration to propene. This activity is correlated with the presence of dioxo O═W═O groups, whereas monooxo W═O species are shown to be inactive. Annealing of the films induces densification that results in the loss of catalytic activity due to the annihilation of O═W═O species.