HETEROPOLYACIDS AS BIFUNCTIONAL CATALYSTS FOR THE OXIDATIVE CLEAVAGE OF CYCLANONES

In the presence of dioxygen, heteropolyacids ''H-3+n[PMo12-nVnO40],aq' ' (HPA-n; n = 1-4), react with cyclanones to afford carboxylic acids. Treatment of 2-methylcyclohexanone gives 6-oxoheptanoic acid in high y ields. Reaction of cyclohexanone with ''HPA-n/AcOH-H2O/O2'' systems af fords adipic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid and carbon dioxide. Th e byproducts arise predominantly by 6-oxohexanoic acid degradation, Th e reaction of hydrogen peroxide with molybdenum trioxide, vanadium(v) oxide and orthophosphoric acid has been studied and the formation of H PA-n has been obtained at room temperature in a short time.