The preparation of terephthalic acid by solvent-free oxidation of p-xylene with air over T(p-Cl)PPMnCl and Co(OAc)2

An attempt has been made to prepare terephthalic acid (TPA) by solvent-free oxidation of p-xylene (PX) with air over tetra(p-chlorophenylporphinato)manganese chloride (T(p-Cl)PPMnCl) and cobalt acetate. The co-catalysis between T(p-Cl)PPMnCl and Co(OAc)2 has been discovered under solvent-free conditions. TPA yield could be increased significantly when T(p-Cl)PPMnCl and Co(OAc)2 were used together. The addition of T(p-Cl)PPMnCl into the reaction mixture over Co(OAc)2 significantly accelerated the rate-determining step of the oxidation process of PX to TPA. The effect of temperature on reaction was also investigated.