Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexane to Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexane oxidation is an important commercial reaction for the preparation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, which are intermediates in the production of adipic acid and caprolactam respectively. These intermediates are important in the manufacture of nylon-6 and nylon-6,6 polymers (Yuan et al 2006 and Shylesh et al 2007). In addition, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone are also used as solvents for lacquers and varnishes as well as stabilisers and homogenisers for soaps and synthetic detergent emulsions. The other uses of cyclohexanone are in the synthesis of insecticides, herbicides and pharmaceuticals (Faith et al 1957, Berezin et al 1968, Chandalia 1977 and Musser 1987). In most of the cases, oxidation of cyclohexane requires extreme reaction conditions such as high pressure and temperature. Hence, it is necessary to nd a new, efficient catalytic method for the oxidation of cyclohexane at low temperatures.