Decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide over transition metal-free zeolite H-beta Original Research Article

Cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, a key intermediate in the cyclohexane autoxidation for the manufacture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, was decomposed over transition metal-free zeolite H-beta. The CHHP decomposition efficiency reached 191 mmol g−1 h−1, which is almost equal to that over 5% Ru/Al2O3 under the same conditions. The highest combined yield of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone reached 84.6 mol% at 125 °C. Elevation of reaction temperature can increase the activity and selectivity to cyclohexanone. Correlating study between the catalytic activity and the acidity reveals that the medium strength Brönsted acid sites of H-beta are the main active centers for the decomposition reaction.