Highly efficient catalytic production of oximes from ketones using in situ-generated H2O2

The ammoximation of cyclohexanone using preformed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is currently applied commercially to produce cyclohexanone oxime, an important feedstock in nylon-6 production. We demonstrate that by using supported gold-palladium (AuPd) alloyed nanoparticles in conjunction with a titanium silicate-1 (TS-1) catalyst, H2O2 can be generated in situ as needed, producing cyclohexanone oxime with >95% selectivity, comparable to the current industrial route. The ammoximation of several additional simple ketones is also demonstrated. Our approach eliminates the need to transport and store highly concentrated, stabilized H2O2, potentially achieving substantial environmental and economic savings. This approach could form the basis of an alternative route to numerous chemical transformations that are currently dependent on a combination of preformed H2O2 and TS-1, while allowing for considerable process intensification.

Automated summary

By using supported gold-palladium alloyed nanoparticles and a titanium silicate-1 catalyst, H2O2 can be generated in situ as needed, achieving high selectivity in the production of cyclohexanone oxime. This approach eliminates the need for transporting and storing highly concentrated, stabilized H2O2, leading to potential environmental and economic savings, as well as process intensification.