Enhancing effect of S and F moieties on the performance of Fenton system in the selective oxidation of propane

The selective oxidation of propane to oxygenated products (isopropanol, n-propanol, propionic aldehyde and acetone) mediated by the Fe(II)/H2O2 Fenton system at 80 degrees C in the presence of solid acid and superacid promoters containing S and F moieties has been studied. The occurrence of a radical reaction pathway accounting for the activation of the C-H bonds of the propane molecule by OH center dot radicals has been proved by assessing the inhibiting effect of both Cl- and NO3- radical scavengers and organic (CH3COOH, CH3CN, DMSO) reaction media on the reaction pattern. S and F functionalities of several solid agents promote the electron transfer processes controlling the H2O2 activation. Any effect of the Bronsted acid features of the solid promoters on the reaction kinetics and pathway has been disregarded. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.