I. Yamanaka et al., GAS-PHASE OXIDATION OF BENZENE TO PHENOL AND HYDROQUINONE BY USING ANH2-O2 FUEL-CELL SYSTEM, Electrochimica acta, 39(17), 1994, pp. 2545-2549
A reaction system for the oxidation of benzene to phenol and hydroquin
one in the gas phase over a carbon whisker cathode was designed by usi
ng an H2-O2 fuel cell. The rates of the formation of products increase
d with increasing the partial pressures of benzene and O2 in the catho
de compartment, but the rates were independent of the partial pressure
of H2 in the anode compartment. The optimum rate of formation was obt
ained at a cathode potential of -0.1V (vs. Ag\AgCl) which was positive
compared with that of -0.2V observed under short circuit conditions.
This result suggests to cogenerate phenol and electricity. The additio
n of Pd to the carbon whisker cathode improved the oxidation of benzen
e. However, the addition of Fe2O3 to the carbon whisker did not affect
the oxidation. Synergism of co-addition of Pd black and Fe2O3 to the
carbon whisker for enhancing the oxidation which had been reported in
the liquid phase was not observed in the gas phase. A reasonable model
of the reaction mechanism specific for the oxidation of benzene in th
e gas phase has been proposed.