HETEROPOLYACIDS AS BIFUNCTIONAL CATALYSTS FOR THE OXIDATIVE CLEAVAGE OF CYCLANONES

In the presence of dioxygen, heteropolyacids ''H-3+n[PMo12-nVnO40],aq'' (HPA-n; n = 1-4), react with cyclanones to afford carboxylic acids. Treatment of 2-methylcyclohexanone gives 6-oxoheptanoic acid in high yields. Reaction of cyclohexanone with ''HPA-n/AcOH-H2O/O2'' systems affords adipic acid, glutaric acid, succinic acid and carbon dioxide. The byproducts arise predominantly by 6-oxohexanoic acid degradation, The reaction of hydrogen peroxide with molybdenum trioxide, vanadium(v) oxide and orthophosphoric acid has been studied and the formation of HPA-n has been obtained at room temperature in a short time.