Study of the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons by different mechanisms

• Grant number: 91/03371-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: June 01, 1992
• End date: May 31, 1995
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ulf Friedrich Schuchardt
• Grantee: Ulf Friedrich Schuchardt
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

We intend to study three different mechanisms of oxidation with the aim of obtaining broader knowledge about oxidation reactions in different conditions. In the first part we are studying the oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide in mild conditions, simulating the action of the methane monooxygenase enzyme. For the study of the free radical reaction we chose the oxidation of p-Xylene to terephthalic acid, which will initially be carried out in acetic acid under reflux in the presence of promoters. Subsequently water will be used as solvent and the oxidation effected in a biphasic system. In the third part we will study the direct oxidation of benzene to phenol, also using acetic acid as solvent, a promoter and a palladium catalyst which will permit oxidative nucleophilic substitution. The palladium catalyst and the promoter will subsequently be heterogenized on neutral supports. (AU)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project