Carbon coated monolithic catalysts in the selective oxidation of cyclohexanone

The application of carbon coated monolithic catalysts in selective oxidatio n is compared with slurry phase operation. As a model reaction, the liquid phase air oxidation of cyclohexanone into adipic acid was chosen. The react ion was performed in water at moderate temperature (413 K) and pressure (5. 0 MPa). Total conversion of cyclohexanone was achieved over metal-free carb on supports yielding several dicarboxylic acids. Increasing the pore access of these carbon supports is beneficial for the activity. The application o f highly dispersed platinum yields similar activities, but enhances the sel ectivity to adipic acid from 9.2 to 20.6%. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.