Enhanced Cyclohexane Oxidation Activity and Selectivity on New Supported Transition Metal Catalysts Based on Co and Ag

The oxidation of cyclohexane has been the topic of several investigations over recent years. The aim was to increase the selectivity in K/A oil (cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol). In this work, we proposed to study the cyclohexane oxidation reaction under mild conditions. Supported monometallic catalysts based on cobalt and silver as well as bimetallic catalysts were prepared by a simple method of impregnation on TiO₂ and SiO₂. These materials have been characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalysts were tested in the oxidation of cyclohexane reaction with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in mild conditions and the products were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). A very interesting result was reached: the reaction could be oriented toward the exclusive production of cyclohexanone from the beginning (15 min).