Abstract:
Studies on the use of zeolites in partial oxidation reactions are surveyed. Attention is concentrated on recent investigations of the gas-phase oxidative hydroxylation of aromatic compounds with nitrous oxide. Best results were achieved in the study of the simplest reaction of this type – the oxidation of benzene to phenol: in the presence of iron-containing ZSM-5 zeolites, the reaction proceeds with nearly 100% selectivity and a degree of conversion of benzene of 25–30%. Further development of this method for the introduction of hydroxy-groups may lead to new possibilities for the creation of effective technologies in the field of organic synthesis. The bibliography includes 87 references.