Cyclohexane oxidation with an O2–H2 mixture in the presence of a two-component Pt/C–heteropoly acid catalyst and ionic liquids

Abstract

Approaches to increase the efficiency of Pt/C–heteropoly acid catalyst in a liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane using an O₂–H₂ mixture were studied. It was shown that small additives of ionic liquid (BMImBr, Bu₄NBr, or Bu₄NHSO₄) significantly improve the catalytic effect of the Pt/C–H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀–CH₃CN system at 35°C, by slowing the rate of side reactions resulting in water formation, increasing the rate of oxygenate formation, and inhibiting their secondary oxidation reactions. The efficiency of H₂ consumption increases from 2 to 18–25%, while the selectivity of cyclohexane conversion is 92–98%. The substitution of one or two Mo(VI) ions by V(V) in the structure of the heteropoly acid decreases these parameters. In the presence of Bu₄NHSO₄, a Pt/C catalyst can be used many times. During the reaction, the heteropoly acid present in the solution is in a reduced state under the action of the reaction medium and undergoes reversible redox transformations. The nature of the catalytic action of the studied system is explained from the viewpoint of the effect of ionic liquids on the properties of a Pt/C catalyst in activating O₂, heteropoly molybdate chemistry, and the known mechanisms of the peroxide oxidation of hydrocarbons.