Oxidation with air of cyclohexanone to carboxylic diacids on carbon catalysts

Carbons derived from phenolic resins were used as catalysts for the aqueous phase oxidation of cyclohexanone at 140 degrees C under air pressure. The reaction yielded mainly adipic, glutaric and succinic acids. The samples were modified by heat treatments in CO2, air or N-2 at different temperatures and characterized to determine their surface area and porosity and to evaluate the functional groups on the surface. Treatments under CO2 or air increased the oxidation activity. The selectivity to adipic acid was maximum (33%) after activation in air which greatly increased the surface concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups. However, it was not possible to attribute the selectivity to specific acidic, neutral or basic groups present at the surface of carbons.