Model reactions as probe of the acid–base properties of aluminas: Nature and strength of active sites. Correlation with physicochemical characterization

Acetonylacetone conversion was carried out over various transition aluminas in order to estimate simultaneously their acid–base properties. The formations of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and of 2-methyl-3-cyclopenten-1-one (MCP) were associated to acid and basic sites, respectively. The combination of model reactions and CO2 and DMP adsorption allows us to propose a description of the nature and the strength of the various aluminas surface.