Sustainability in Catalytic Oxidation: An Alternative Approach or a Structural Evolution?

Abstract

This Review documents some examples of recent innovations in the field of catalytic selective oxidation from an industrial point of view. The use of alkanes as building blocks for the synthesis of bulk chemicals and intermediates is discussed, along with the main properties that catalysts should possess in order to efficiently catalyse the selective oxidation of these hydrocarbons. The currently developed processes for propene oxide and new processes under investigation for the synthesis of adipic acid are also described, highlighting innovative aspects for a better sustainability of the chemical industry.

Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes Containing the Hpbl Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, Linkage Isomerism, and Epoxidation Catalysis

“…Then, the volume was reduced on a rotary evaporator until a precipitate appeared which was filtered off and dried. 2 were dissolved in 50 mL of methanol. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days under nitrogen atmosphere.…”

“…Compound 1c(PF 6 ) 2 crystallizes with one molecule of the metal complex, two PF 6 anions and two and half molecules of water in the asymmetric unit. One of the PF 6 anions is disordered in two positions (ratio 60:40).…”

“…1 The epoxides are extremely useful molecules for both the chemical industry (particularly in polymer manufacture) 2 and the synthesis of fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, or flavor and fragrances. 3 On the other hand, water oxidation redox catalysis is one of the major topics that need to be dominated in order to come up with new energy conversion schemes that allow the transition from fossil to solar fuels.…”

Mechanism of the Aerobic Oxidation of α‐Pinene

“…Improving both the efficiency and selectivity toward the desired products remains a prime objective of academic and industrial research. [2] An important class of aerobic oxidations are radical-propagated autoxidations. [1][2][3][4] Important bulk scale processes using this technology are, for example, the oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid (44 10 6 tonnes per year), the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (6 10 6 tonnes per year), and the synthesis of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (6 10 6 tonnes per year).…”

“…[2] An important class of aerobic oxidations are radical-propagated autoxidations. [1][2][3][4] Important bulk scale processes using this technology are, for example, the oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid (44 10 6 tonnes per year), the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (6 10 6 tonnes per year), and the synthesis of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (6 10 6 tonnes per year). The autoxidation mechanism of an unfunctionalized alkane, RH, in the absence of a catalyst, as assumed up to 2005, [3] is summarized by Equations (1)- (6):…”