Highly Selective Cycloalkane Oxidation in Water with Ruthenium Nanoparticles
Abstract
Ruthenium(0) nanospecies, with small sizes of approx. 1.75 nm, proved to be active, selective, and retrievable nanocatalysts for the oxidn. of various cycloalkanes in neat water, using tert-butylhydroperoxide as an oxidant and at room temp. Relevant conversions and selectivities (up to 97 %) were achieved towards the major formation of the ketone product, which constitutes a high-value-added intermediate for polymer or fine chem. The lifetime of the catalyst has been checked over several runs, with no significant loss of activity and selectivity. Kinetic and mechanistic investigations proved that radical species are involved in the oxidn. process. A literature comparison showed the relevance and the usefulness of the present ruthenium nanocatalytic system in a benign reaction context.