Enhancing effect of S and F moieties on the performance of Fenton system in the selective oxidation of propane

Abstract The selective oxidation of propane to oxygenated products (isopropanol, n -propanol, propionic aldehyde and acetone) mediated by the Fe(II)/H 2 O 2 Fenton system at 80 °C in the presence of solid acid and superacid promoters containing S and F moieties has been studied. The occurrence of a radical reaction pathway accounting for the activation of the C H bonds of the propane molecule by OH radicals has been proved by assessing the inhibiting effect of both Cl − and NO 3 − radical scavengers and organic (CH 3 COOH, CH 3 CN, DMSO) reaction media on the reaction pattern. S and F functionalities of several solid agents promote the electron transfer processes controlling the H 2 O 2 activation. Any effect of the Bronsted acid features of the solid promoters on the reaction kinetics and pathway has been disregarded.