The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide using a combination of a hydrophobic solvent and water

Abstract

The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has been studied using a solvent system comprising a hydrophobic alcohol (decan-1-ol) and water. It is demonstrated that, with the optimum combination of solvent and catalyst the contribution of H₂O₂ degradation pathways can be minimised to achieve industrially acceptable H₂O₂ concentrations under moderate conditions. This is achieved through the use of a catalyst that is retained by the organic component and the extraction of synthesised H₂O₂ into the aqueous phase, consequently limiting contact between the synthesised H₂O₂, catalyst and reactant gases, resulting in an improved selectivity towards H₂O₂. Investigation of the reaction parameters provides an insight into the proposed solvent system, and optimised conditions to produce H₂O₂ from molecular H₂ and O₂ have been identified. Through this optimisation H₂O₂ concentrations up to 1.9 wt% have been achieved via sequential gas replacement experiments.