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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S41609/01
Title: A One-Step Catalytic Oxidation of Cyclohexane to Adipic Acid Using Molecular Oxygen in Supercritical CO2
Principal Investigator: Tsang, Professor S
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of Reading
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 2003 Ends: 31 October 2005 Value (£): 142,699
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Gas & Solution Phase Reactions
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We propose to investigate the feasibility of performing catalytic aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid using aqueous microemulsion catalysts in supercritical C02. It is anticipated that extremely high yields and turnover frequencies over simple Co species in aqueous micro-emulsion in organic free environment (no unselectivity leading to a waste production) will be obtained, which may represent an advance for future application of scC02 for a wide range of oxidation reactions in this environmentally friendly solvent.We therefore propose to investigate (a) the chemistry affecting catalytic performances (nature of surfactant, their lengths, head groups and their interactions with the ionic catalyst/promoter and also with scC02 fluid, substrates and products); (b) striking a fundamental understanding of the system (characterisation, kinetic measurements); (c) awareness of the boundary conditions (minimum temperatures, pressure, oxygen ratios, concentration of substrates) and (d) developing chemical measures to cope with situations such as low product selectivity, possible instability of surfactant, ions/promoter leaching, catalyst deactivation, if occur.
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Organisation Website: http://www.rdg.ac.uk