SELECTIVE OXIDATION OF CYCLOHEXANE AT LOW-TEMPERATURE BY FE-PD BICATALYTIC SYSTEMS - FECL2-PD ALUMINA SYSTEM AND PD/FE2O3 SYSTEM/

The system which employs iron, palladium, molecular oxygen and hydroge n as a model mono-oxygenase, has been investigated to develop a new me thod for selective cyclohexane oxidation under mild conditions. This s ystem provides much higher yield and selectivity for the formation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone compared to that of the existing indust rial method. When the catalytic system, FeCl2-Pd/alumina, was employed , the oxidation system required acetone as a solvent to be efficient a nd acidifying the solvent by a little addition of acetic acid or HCl m ade the system more efficient. The Pd catalyst was recyclable without a significant deactivation but the recycling of ferrous chloride showe d the decrease in the activity. On the other hand, the heterogeneous c atalytic system, Pd/Fe2O3 could be recovered easily and reused after d rying treatment.