Page 175 - CW E-Magazine (28-5-2024)

Special Report

A rapid wrap-up of what’s new in Operations,

Processes and Products

Catalytic Processes

potential has been brought out. (Angew.
Chem. Intl. Ed., 2024; DOI: 10.1002/
anie.2023.18028).

Phenol (P) to cyclohexanone (CH)

This has been practiced commercially
for a long time, but there is still inte-
rest in developing Pd-based catalysts
to realise higher rates and selectivity.
H. Wang et al have come out with Pd
nanoparticles supported over acetylene
black, which was prepared by simple
impregnation method. High conversion
of 97.3% and high selectivity of 99.9%
have been realised. (Applied Catalysis
A: General, 2024, 670, 25 Jan. 119520;
th
Hydrogenation of dimethyl al cyanides supported by beta zeolite DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2023.119520).
adipate (DMA) to 1,6-hexane- works well for ring-opening polymeri-
diol (HD) sation. The polydispersity index, D was Efficient catalytic oxidation of
1.08-1.53 and the desired molecular biomass to formic acid (FA)
X. Gao et al have worked on Cu-based weights of 1,400-4,500-gm per mol can coupled with low-energy form-
catalysts and among the binary cata- be realised. The viscosity index of up to aldehyde (F) production from
o
lysts, the Cu-ZnO gave good perfor- 242 and a flash point of up to 238 C and methanol
o
mance. The addition of the third com- pour point as low as -45 C are repor-
ponent permitted improved dispersion ted. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2024; DOI: Z. He have come out with an interesting
of Cu. Reduction temperature was 10.1021/acs.iecr.3c03429). and potentially useful way of convert-
250 C (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2024; ing biomass into FA and this is coupled
o
DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.3c02710). Emerging two-dimensional with low energy F production. For this,
metastable-phase oxides: in- heteropoly acids were used as catalysts.
Beta zeolite-supported double- sights and prospects in synthe- FA yields of up to 88.6% were realised,
metal cyanide catalysts with sis and catalysis while CH OH selectively oxidised to F
3
enhanced Lewis activity for the at 90-190 C. Mechanism is explained.
o
synthesis of high-performance J. Su et al have referred to the discovery (Green Chem., 2024; DOI: 10.1039/
poly(1,2-butylene oxide) (PBO) of graphene and this has resulted in the D3GC03892K).
lubricating oils development of new two-dimensional
materials. A new emerging member of Oxidative dehydrogenation of
X. Zeng et al have reported that PBO the 2D family has resulted in 2D meta- n-butenes (NBS) to 1,3-buta-
is a highly promising and innovative stable-phase oxides that combine the diene (BD)
polyether lubricating oil. This is due to unique advantages of metal oxides, [This process is commercially prac-
the excellent lubricating properties and 2D structures, and metastable-phase ticed.]
unique oil miscibility. A series of highly materials. These materials have shown
active heterogeneous catalysts com- enormous potential in various cata- G. Tanimu et al have reported Ni-BiO
x
posed of layered Zn-Co double-met- lytic reactions. In this review the metal oxides supported on mesoporous

Chemical Weekly May 28, 2024 175

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised