Hydrocarbon chain growth on V(100) single-crystal surfaces via vinyl intermediates

Abstract

(Chemical Equation Presented) A four-step mechanism for thermal activation of methylene species on V(100) surfaces to generate propene is identified experimentally (see scheme). Dehydrogenation of methylene to methylidyne and coupling with another methylene group gives a vinyl intermediate, which reacts with a methylene group to form an allyl species, which is finally hydrogenated to propene. This provides evidence for the possible role of vinyl intermediates in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.