Selective Oxidation of Methane to Methanol with Organic Oxidants Catalyzed by Iodine in Non-Aqueous Acetic Acid Medium

Abstract

Various organic oxidants including tert-butyl peroxybenzoate, tert-butyl hydroperioxide (TBHP), hydrogen peroxide-urea adduct, dicumyl peroxyide and peracetic acid solution were studied for the oxidation of methane to methanol via methyl acetate catalyzed by iodine in non-aqueous acetic acid medium. Among these organic oxidants investigated, tert-butyl hydroperioxide (TBHP) exhibited the highest methane conversion. The effects of various kinetic factors on the catalytic behavior of the TBHP-I2 system were investigated, and a quantitative yield of methyl acetate (18.9%) based on methane has been obtained under the optimized conditions. A possible mechanism involving electrophilic displacement has been suggested for this reaction.