Surface reactions of brominated arenes as a model for the formation of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans in incineration: Inhibition by ethanolamine.
The aryl coupling reaction of bromobenzene on alumina-supported copper catalysts has been studied as model for dioxin formation. The reaction was monitored in situ by transmittance FTIR spectroscopy. Time-dependent changes in the spectra were recorded during addition of bromobenzene to the carrier gas stream. Both coupling of phenyl intermediates to yield biphenyls and formation of phenol and phenolate were observed. Novel approaches to inhibit the coupling reaction of aryl halides by addition of ethanolamine to the catalyst surface were studied. The resulting inhibition was attributed to site blocking and irreversible deactivation of the copper surface due to imine and nitride formation.