Optimization of reaction conditions for cyclohexane to cyclohexanone with t-butylhydroperoxide over CuCl2 loaded with activated carbon

Abstract

Catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons can be performed efficiently in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) under a low-valent transition metal as the catalyst. CuCl2 loaded with activated carbon had synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and then utilized as a catalyst for the oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen as the oxidant and the TBHP as the pro-oxidant under various conditions. The possible reaction mechanism was discussed and the effects of different factors on the oxidation of cyclohexane were investigated. Reaction conditions including catalyst type, oxidant, reaction time, reaction temperature, TBHP amount, solvent type and solvent amount were systematically optimized in order to achieve the highest conversion of cyclohexane and highest selectivity of cyclohexanone. Various other alkanes exhibited higher catalytic activity under the optimal conditions.