The chemistry of rhenium is complex, but the benefits make it an attractive catalyst material. As the only metal with as wide a range of oxidation states as platinum, rhenium is particularly well-suited for catalysis. Its oxidation states include -1, 0, +2, +3, +4 and +7, and the corresponding electron configurations are quite similar to those of platinum.
The oxidation state of rhenium after calcination in air is seven and half. This oxidation state makes rhenium an excellent catalyst for the reduction of carbonyls and other carbonyls. It also promotes the reforming activity of the catalyst. Fluoride is preferred to chloride, as it provides a limited acidity, which is helpful for most reforming operations. The halides can be added at any stage of the process, from the initial stages to the final stage.
Rhenium can be reduced by reducing hydrogen. However, its crystalline form is relatively resistant to oxidation. The lowest oxidation state is -7, which is a high value. In addition, it is a tough metal and is therefore a good candidate for use as a catalyst. Moreover, its oxidation state is remarkably stable at high temperatures, which makes it a highly useful catalyst.
In addition to its use as a catalyst for hydrogenation, rhenium is also widely used as a fine chemical. It can be used for hydrocracking, reforming and disproportionation of alkenes. During the course of a hydrogenation, rhenium can also be utilized for a thermistors. These are all important aspects for the optimum performance of a rhenium catalyst in catalysis.
Another study has found that the rhenium catalyst is a very efficient choice for hydrogenation. Compared to other metals, it has a high oxidation temperature, which allows it to convert hydrogen to ethylene oxide. Its oxidation temperature is low enough to support the hydrogenation of alkenes without causing any significant side effects to the product. Aside from hydrogenation, rhenium has also been successfully used as a co-metal in supported catalysts for many processes, including petrochemical reforming.
The rhenium catalysts have a high oxidation level of Re. This means that it is not recommended for hydrogenation reactions. In the process of oxidation, rhenium is a useful catalyst. Besides hydrogenation, it is also useful in synthesising different types of chemicals. For example, in a hydrocarbon-refining process, rhenium can be converted to ethylene-oxygen by combining alumina and methanol.
In addition to the rhenium catalyst, there are other substances that can be used. The most common among these are manganese and phosphorus. They can be applied in a wide range of applications, including in petrochemical reforming. Similarly, rhenium catalysts are useful in ethylene oxide production. These materials can be a good choice for converting carbon-based fuels into a variety of other compounds.