SELECTIVE OXIDATION REACTIONS OVER TITANIUM AND VANADIUM METALLOSILICATE MOLECULAR-SIEVES

Selective oxidation reactions like the oxyfunctionalization of alkanes , hydroxylation of aromatics and sulfoxidation of thioethers have been carried out with dilute hydrogen peroxide over titanium and vanadium metallosilicate molecular sieves with MEL topology, viz., TS-2 and VS- 2. Though both the catalysts possess similar activities, substantial d ifferences in the product distribution are observed. The oxyfunctional ization of the primary carbon atoms of the alkanes and the oxidation o f the methyl substituents of the aromatic hydrocarbons distinguish VS- 2 from TS-2. Both the catalysts are found to be equally active in the hydroxylation of phenol, though they possess different activities in d ifferent solvents. In general, the oxidations are ''deeper'' over VS-2 than on TS-2.