Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 326, Issue 5957, Pages 1250-1252Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1179713
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Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [20773144, 20733010, 20633080]
- National Key Basic Research Project of China [2006CB202504]
- Chinese Academy of Sciences [KJCX2.YW.H16]
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Cyclohexanone is an industrially important intermediate in the synthesis of materials such as nylon, but preparing it efficiently through direct hydrogenation of phenol is hindered by over-reduction to cyclohexanol. Here we report that a previously unappreciated combination of two common commercial catalysts. nanoparticulate palladium (supported on carbon, alumina, or NaY zeolite) and a Lewis acid such as AlCl(3-)synergistically promotes this reaction. Conversion exceeding 99.9% was achieved with >99.9% selectivity within 7 hours at 1.0-megapascal hydrogen pressure and 50 degrees C. The reaction was accelerated at higher temperature or in a compressed CO2 solvent medium. Preliminary kinetic and spectroscopic studies suggest that the Lewis acid sequentially enhances the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone and then inhibits further hydrogenation of the ketone.
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