IRON-PHTHALOCYANINE IMMOBILIZED ON ACTIVATED CARBON-BLACK - A SELECTIVE CATALYST FOR ALKANE OXIDATION

Carbon black is tested as a support for iron-phthalocyanine within the frame of the oxidation of hydrocarbons with t-butyl-hydroperoxide as oxygen donor. The increased hydrophobicity of the carrier surface, wit h respect to zeolite Y, changes the adsorption behavior of the compone nts in the reaction mixture towards the alkane. A major improvement in the oxidation conversion and efficiency of cyclohexane has been estab lished, Furthermore, the kinetic isotope effect and the reactivity ord er of secondary and tertiary carbon atoms measured with adamantane pro vide evidence for an ''oxygen rebound'' reaction mechanism, a non-free -radical oxidation pathway where the metallo-complex is responsible fo r the hydrogen abstraction. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.