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Boudouard reaction
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The Boudouard reaction, named after Octave Leopold Boudouard, is the redox reaction of a chemical
equilibrium mixture of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide at a given temperature. It is the disproportionation of
carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and graphite or its reverse:[1]
2CO ⇌ CO
2 + C

Standard enthalpy of the Boudouard reaction at various temperatures

The Boudouard reaction to form carbon dioxide and carbon is exothermic at all temperatures. However, the standard
enthalpy of the Boudouard reaction becomes less negative with increasing temperature, [2] as shown to the side.
While the formation enthalpy of CO
2 is higher than that of CO, the formation entropy is much lower. Consequently, the standard free energy of

formation of CO
2 from its component elements is almost constant and independent of the temperature, while the free energy of

formation of CO decreases with temperature.[3] At high temperatures, the forward reaction becomes endergonic,
favoring the (exergonic) reverse reaction toward CO, even though the forward reaction is still exothermic.
The effect of temperature on the extent of the Boudouard reaction is indicated better by the value of the equilibrium
constant than by the standard free energy of reaction. The value of log10(Keq) for the reaction as a function of
temperature in Kelvin (valid between 500–2200 K) is approximately:[4]
log10(Keq) has a value of zero at 975 K.
The implication of the change in Keq with temperature is that a gas containing CO may form elemental carbon if the
mixture cools below a certain temperature. The thermodynamic activity of carbon may be calculated for a CO/CO
2 mixture by knowing the partial pressure of each species and the value of Keq. For instance, in a high temperature

reducing environment, such as that created for the reduction of iron oxide in a blast furnace or the preparation
of carburizing atmospheres,[5] carbon monoxide is the stable oxide of carbon. When a gas rich in CO is cooled to the
point where the activity of carbon exceeds one, the Boudouard reaction can take place. Carbon monoxide then tends
to disproportionate into carbon dioxide and graphite, which forms soot.
In industrial catalysis, this is not just an eyesore; sooting (also called coking) can cause serious and even irreversible
damage to catalysts and catalyst beds. This is a problem in the catalytic reforming of petroleum and the steam
reforming of natural gas.
The reaction is named after the French chemist, Octave Leopold Boudouard (1872–1923), who investigated this
equilibrium in 1905.[6]
Uses
Undesired occurrence
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Last edited 1 year ago by Hobbitschuster

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