Carbons derived from phenolic resins were used as catalysts for the aqueous
phase oxidation of cyclohexanone at 140 degrees C under air pressure. The
reaction yielded mainly adipic, glutaric and succinic acids. The samples we
re modified by heat treatments in CO2, air or N-2 at different temperatures
and characterized to determine their surface area and porosity and to eval
uate the functional groups on the surface. Treatments under CO2 or air incr
eased the oxidation activity. The selectivity to adipic acid was maximum (3
3%) after activation in air which greatly increased the surface concentrati
on of oxygen-containing functional groups. However, it was not possible to
attribute the selectivity to specific acidic, neutral or basic groups prese
nt at the surface of carbons.