Partial oxidation of light paraffins on supported superacid catalytic membranes

Superacid-supported catalytic membranes were found to be active and very se lective in the partial oxidation of light paraffins (C-1-C-2) with H2O2 und er mild conditions (T-R: 80-110 degrees C; P-R: 1.4 bar) in a three-phase c atalytic membrane reactor (3PCMR). Among different catalytic membranes inve stigated, Nafion-based ones showed the best performance in terms of both ac tivity and selectivity. Addition of Fe2+ ions in the liquid phase enhances the reaction rate, however, a volcano-shaped trend between reaction rate an d concentration of Fe2+ was observed. Reaction temperature drastically affe cts both reaction rate and product distribution. A reaction pathway based o n the electrophilic hydroxylation of the C-H bond on superacid sites and su bsequent reaction of the activated paraffin with OH radicals has been propo sed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.