Catalysis / Non-equilibrium Phenomena / Phase Transitions / SurfacesThe rates of formation of acrolein, CO, and CO from propene and oxygen on oxides of copper as catalysts have been investigated at P C ? H~ = 50 mbar, 4 mbar s po, 5 200 mbar in a differential reactor at 645 and 735 K. Oxygen contents of the catalysts have been determined in sltu by titration with H, at 713 K. Selectivity and rate of oxygen consumption at steady state of the catalyst are not single valued functions of gas phase composition. Mainly the selectivity of acrolein formation follows a closed hysteresis-loop over a finite interval of po2. This phenomenon can be