Catalysis in flow: O2 effect on the catalytic activity of Ru(OH)x/γ-Al2O3 during the aerobic oxidation of an alcohol

John B Brazier,King Kuok (Mimi) Hii,Klaus Hellgardt

doi:10.1039/c6re00208k

Abstract

Different roles of O2 in the Ru-catalysed aerobic oxidation of alcohols have been delineated.

Highlights

IntroductionCatalytic aerobic oxidation reactions in the liquid phase have become an important topic in catalysis research, driven by the need for reaction technologies that can be employed for biomass conversion,[1] and for more sustainable processes for the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.[2,3] In terms of process safety and control, it is widely acknowledged that aerobic oxidation reactions are best implemented in continuous flow using heterogeneous catalysts.[4] Conversion of alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones) is an important functional group transformation in organic chemistry
In recent years, catalytic aerobic oxidation reactions in the liquid phase have become an important topic in catalysis research, driven by the need for reaction technologies that can be employed for biomass conversion,[1] and for more sustainable processes for the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.[2,3] In terms of process safety and control, it is widely acknowledged that aerobic oxidation reactions are best implemented in continuous flow using heterogeneous catalysts.[4]
Highlighted: while the presence of excess O2 is beneficial for turnover and prevents irreversible loss of active catalyst sites, too much of the gaseous reactant can cause over-oxidation of the product to benzoic acid, which can inhibit catalyst activity by reversible binding

Summary

Introduction

Catalytic aerobic oxidation reactions in the liquid phase have become an important topic in catalysis research, driven by the need for reaction technologies that can be employed for biomass conversion,[1] and for more sustainable processes for the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.[2,3] In terms of process safety and control, it is widely acknowledged that aerobic oxidation reactions are best implemented in continuous flow using heterogeneous catalysts.[4] Conversion of alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds (aldehydes or ketones) is an important functional group transformation in organic chemistry. The oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols is used industrially for the production of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, as well as fragrance aldehydes from C5–C14 aliphatic alcohols; all these were performed in the gas phase over heterogeneous catalysts.[5]

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Conclusion