ADSORPTION AND HYDROGENOLYSIS OF CYCLOPROPANECARBOXYLIC ACID ON ALUMINUM OXIDE.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00289a004

The temperature and exposure-dependent interaction of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid with alumina surfaces has been studied with inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. Cyclopropanecarboxylate and -n-butyrate were the only adsorbed species formed, as determined by a comparison with tunneling spectra of n-butyric acid and cyclopropanecarboxylic acid coadsorbed on alumina. The n-butyrate results from hydrogenolysis of the cyclopropyl ring of the adsorbed cyclopropanecarboxylate, with the hydrogen supplied by surface hydroxyl groups. The relative populations of the two surface species are strongly dependent upon coverage and temperature.