Non-metallic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols over Anthraquinone Based Compounds

Abstract The catalytic performances of substituted anthraquinones were investigated in catalytic oxidation of alcohols like cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to carbonyl compounds (cyclohexanone, benzyl aldehyde and diformylfuran). The reduction potential of anthraquinone plays the key role in the oxidation reactions. TOF numbers and selectivities to carbonyl compounds pass through the maximum with increase of the reduction potential. The maximum activity and selectivity (>80 %) is observed for sulfonated and carboxylated anthraquinones having intermediate reduction potentials (≈ 0.1-0.2 V vs SHE). Grafted 2-carboxyanthraquinone catalyst has demonstrated comparable catalytic performance to the parent molecule and might be used as heterogeneous catalyst. The oxidation reaction was found to have radical character with transfer of hydrogen from alcohol to anthraquinone and subsequent oxidation of hydrogenated anthraquinone by oxygen.