The CVD Fe/Mo/DBH (deboronated borosilicate molecular sieve)-catalyzed oxidation reactions Original Research Article

The CVD Fe/Mo/DBH (deboronated borosilicate molecular sieve) catalyst exhibits a para-selective property for the gas phase O2 oxidations of a variety of alkylaromatic compounds. Novel reactions studied with the catalyst include selective synthesis of aldehydes, activation and utilization of CO2 in the oxidation reactions, syntheses of oxygenates from alkenylaromatics, oxidative dehydrogenation reactions of alkylaromatics and alkanes. Terephthaldehyde, benzaldehyde and their derivatives are prepared from methylbenzenes, alkylaromatics, alkenylaromatics, and para-substituted toluene derivatives. Alkenylaromatics and olefins are formed from alkylaromatics and alkanes, respectively, as an initial dehydrogenated product. These reactions are described using the representative substrate(s) as an example, and the results are interpreted based on the para-selectivity based on the effects of various para-oriented substituents such as alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxy, methoxy and halide group. These reactions share a reaction mechanism involving the rate-determining hydrogen abstraction initiated by a common active species, ferric molybdate.