Catalytic Properties of Alumina-Supported Ruthenium, Platinum, and Cobalt Nanoparticles towards the Oxidation of Cyclohexane to Cyclohexanol and Cyclohexanone

Abstract

A series of metal-loaded (Ru, Pt, Co) alumina catalysts were evaluated for the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane using tertbutylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant and acetonitrile or acetic acid as solvent. These materials were prepared by the impregnation method and then characterized by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), H2 chemisorption, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). All the prepared materials acted as efficient catalysts. Among them, Ru/Al2O3 was found to have the best catalytic activity with enhanced cyclohexane conversion of 36 %, selectivity to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone of 96 % (57.6 mmol), and cyclohexane turnover frequency (TOF) of 288 h-1. Copyright © 2018 BCREC Group. All rights reservedReceived: 26th May 2017; Revised: 17th July 2017; Accepted: 18th July 2017; Available online: 22nd January 2018; Published regularly: 2nd April 2018How to Cite: Rekkab-Hammoumraoui, I., Choukchou-Braham, A. (2018). Catalytic Properties of Alumina-Supported Ruthenium, Platinum, and Cobalt Nanoparticles towards the Oxidation of Cyclohexane to Cyclohexanol and Cyclohexanone. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 13(1): 24-36 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.13.1.1226.24-35)