Kinetic study of oxidation of cyclohexanol using bimetallic iron–copper macrocyclic complex catalyst

Commercial catalysts for oxidation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone are known to deactivate at high temperature with time. A macrocyclic FeCu complex covalently bonded to modified alumina support was prepared for oxidation of cyclohexanol using molecular oxygen. The catalyst was shown to be thermally stable and does not deactivate for atleast hundred hours of usage for oxidation of cyclohexanol. The reaction has been carried out using molecular oxygen without any solvent, coreactant or cocatalyst in the temperature range of 125–250 °C at 27 atm. An irreversible first order reaction mechanism has been proposed and optimal rate constants were determined.