Highly selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone using VPO catalysts in a high pressure batch reactor

Abstract

Vanadyl phosphorous oxide catalysts were synthesized in an organic medium with different molar ratios of P/V and used for partial oxidation of cyclohexane. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, XRF, and SEM measurements. The catalytic activity for the partial oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone was investigated in a high pressure batch reactor by use of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Effects of molar P/V ratio, temperature, and the ratio of the oxidant, cyclohexane, and the catalyst on the selectivity of cyclohexanone were investigated.