Designing a heterogeneous catalyst for the production of adipic acid by aerial oxidation of cyclohexane

Abstract

A critical dependance upon molecular constraints is found for the aerial, free radical, shape-selective oxidation of cyclohexane (see picture). The oxidation occurs at the Fe(III) sites inside the framework of FeAlPO molecular-sieve catalysts. Oxidation of cyclohexane with the catalyst FeAlPO-5 produces predominantly cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, but with FeAlPO-31 adipic acid is produced.