Reorganization of Wells-Dawson Heteropoly Compounds During the Oxygen Assisted Catalytic Reaction of 2-butanol: Effect of the Oxido-Reduction Strength of the Working Conditions

The reorganization of a Wells–Dawson heteropoly compound during the oxygen assisted catalytic reaction of 2-butanol appears to be dictated by the oxido-reduction strength of the working conditions. Indeed, the oxido-reduction strength is a tool to smoothly induce the rearrangement of the Wells–Dawson compound and to stabilize a particular intermediate species, formed in situ, with most desired enhanced performances in selective oxidation processes. It thus appears clearly that the O2:2-butanol ratio of 5 allows to keep the selectivity in methyl-ethyl-ketone stable with time-on-stream. This feed seems to be a good compromise compared both to more reducing or oxidizing working conditions.