ABSTRACT
Reactions of the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons have been extensively studied [1-8] because of their great importance for the development of the chemical industry. The introduction of bismuth molybdate as catalyst for the selective oxidation of propene to acrolein by Veatch and Callahan and the development of the synthesis of acrylonitrile by ammoxidation of propene on this catalyst may be considered milestones in the history of modern petrochemistry. However, some older catalytic processes, such as production of phthalic anhydride, have also been intensively studied because, although they have been operated in industry for almost 70 years, their mechanism is not yet fully understood and considerable improvement in their catalytic performance may still be expected. Selective oxidation of particular functional groups in complex organic molecules opens new perspectives on the cheaper and wasteless production of many important chemicals. Today catalytic oxidation is the basis of the production of almost all monomers used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibers, plastics, and many other products (Table 7.1). With the increasing cost of energy and the shrinking supply of cheap hydrocarbons, much effort is now being expended on the development of new oxidation processes of higher selectivity and lower energy consumption. Substitution of dehydrogenation by oxidative processes as in the production of styrene from ethylbenzene and selective oxidation of paraffins can be quoted as an example.
