Sustainable Oxidation of Cyclohexane and Toluene in the Presence of Affordable Catalysts: Impact of the Tandem of Promoter/Oxidant on Process Efficiency.

The oxygenation of cyclohexane and toluene by O and HO catalyzed by VO(acac) and Co(acac) was studied at 40-100 °C and 1-10 atm. Upon such conditions, the process can be remarkably (30× times) enhanced by the minute (6-15 mM) additives of oxalic acid (H) or -hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The revealed effect of H on HO-piloted oxidation is closely associated with the nature of the catalyst cation and boosted by VO(acac).