Partial oxidation of light paraffins on supported superacid catalytic membranes Original Research Article

Superacid-supported catalytic membranes were found to be active and very selective in the partial oxidation of light paraffins (C1–C2) with H2O2 under mild conditions (TR: 80–110°C; PR: 1.4 bar) in a three-phase catalytic membrane reactor (3PCMR). Among different catalytic membranes investigated, Nafion-based ones showed the best performance in terms of both activity and selectivity. Addition of Fe2+ ions in the liquid phase enhances the reaction rate, however, a volcano-shaped trend between reaction rate and concentration of Fe2+ was observed. Reaction temperature drastically affects both reaction rate and product distribution. A reaction pathway based on the electrophilic hydroxylation of the C–H bond on superacid sites and subsequent reaction of the activated paraffin with OH radicals has been proposed.