Catalysis in flow: O2 effect on the catalytic activity of Ru(OH)x/γ-Al2O3 during the aerobic oxidation of an alcohol

John B. Brazier; Klaus Hellgardt; King Kuok (Mimi) Hii

doi:10.1039/C6RE00208K

Catalysis in flow: O₂ effect on the catalytic activity of Ru(OH)_x/γ-Al₂O₃ during the aerobic oxidation of an alcohol†

John B. Brazier,^a Klaus Hellgardt*^b and King Kuok (Mimi) Hii

*^a

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
E-mail: mimi.hii@imperial.ac.uk

^b Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK
E-mail: k.hellgardt@imperial.ac.uk

Abstract

Changes in the turnover frequency (TOF) of Ru(OH)_x/γ-Al₂O₃ during aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in a plug flow differential reactor were monitored online using an inline FTIR instrument over extended periods of time (up to 72 h). A new equation for catalyst deactivation is derived, to account for the different lengths of time the catalyst is exposed to the reactants (benzyl alcohol and O₂). Catalyst activity and stability are dependent on the amount of O₂ in the system; catalyst deactivation can be attributed to two simultaneous processes: a fast and reversible inhibition by the benzoic acid side product and a slower and irreversible loss of catalytic sites due to reduction of Ru. At steady state, the reaction rate is zero-order in benzyl alcohol and partial positive order in O₂. Finally, the suitability of a packed-bed (integral) reactor for the reaction is discussed.

This article is part of the themed collection: Celebrating Excellence in Research: 100 Women of Chemistry

Supplementary files

Article information

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RE00208K
Article type: Paper
Submitted: 22 Nov 2016
Accepted: 04 Jan 2017
First published: 04 Jan 2017
This article is Open Access

Download Citation

React. Chem. Eng., 2017,2, 60-67

Permissions

Request permissions

Catalysis in flow: O₂ effect on the catalytic activity of Ru(OH)_x/γ-Al₂O₃ during the aerobic oxidation of an alcohol

J. B. Brazier, K. Hellgardt and K. K. (. Hii, React. Chem. Eng., 2017, 2, 60 DOI: 10.1039/C6RE00208K

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Reaction Chemistry & Engineering