Catalytic oxidation of alpha-eicosanol into eicosanic acid in the presenceof Ti-MCM-41 or active component supported Ti-MCM-41 catalysts

The catalytic oxidation of alpha -eicosanol to eicosanic acid with oxygen o r hydrogen peroxide is carried out over Ti-MCM-41 catalysts. Several Factor s that influence the catalytic activity of Ti-MCM-41, such as the state and content of Ti, reaction temperature and time, and catalyst amount, are inv estigated. Transition metal-supported Ti-MCM-41 catalysts are also used for the catalytic oxidation of a-eicosanol with oxygen and the results show th at Cr/Ti-MCM-41 possesses higher oxidative activity, while Cu/Ti-MCM-41 exh ibits very low conversion of alpha -eicosanol. Using hydrogen peroxide as o xidant peroxotungsto-phospho-quaternary ammonium has higher catalytic activ ity for the oxidation reaction of alpha -eicosanol than Ti-MCM-41. Supporti ng peroxotungsto-phospho-quaternary ammonium onto Ti-MCM-41 can greatly imp rove the oxidative conversion of alpha -eicosanol into eicosanic acid. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.