COMPETITIVE OXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS IN AQUEOUS-PHASE USING PD/C CATALYST

A variety of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols and cyclohexanols were oxidized in the aqueous phase, both individually and competitively in pairs, over a carbon-supported palladium catalyst, or the same catalyst modified by Co and Cd as additives. Some of these alcohols were unreactive or less reactive individually, but more reactive in competition. These findings were explained in terms of the interaction of the substrate with oxygen-covered metal catalyst, which depends on the dissociation ability of the alcohols. The promoting effect of Co and Cd additives on the Pd catalyst was also based on the concept of metal-substrate interaction.