Green Oxidation of Alcohol

Liquid phase oxidation of alcohol to corresponding aldehyde and ketone in solvent free condition with molecular oxygen, at mild temperature and pressure was studied in a self-designed three necked batch reactor, using iron supported on zirconia as a catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by incipient wetness technique, reduced in hydrogen flow and characterized by different modern techniques. Effects of different reaction parameters on the rate of reaction were studied. It was observed that the reduced catalyst showed higher catalytic activity and selectivity than the unreduced catalyst for the liquid phase oxidation of alcohol to corresponding aldehyde and ketone.