Conversion of Gaseous Olefins in Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The oxidation of C₂–C₄ olefins in a dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of water with the formation of oxygen-containing compounds and various C₁–C₅₊ hydrocarbons with saturated and unsaturated structures has been studied. It has been established that the direction of the reaction is influenced by the molecular weight and structure of the starting olefin. In the series ethylene–propylene–butylene, the concentration of oxygen-containing compounds increased from 28.1 to 74.3 and 66.7 wt %, respectively. The oxidation of isobutene predominantly produced isobutyraldehyde and acetone with concentrations of 53 and 21 wt %, respectively, and 2-butanol (to 26 wt %) was the main product in the oxidation of 1-butene and 2‑butene.