Catalytic conversion of cyclohexylhydroperoxide to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(88)85134-4

The low-conversion air oxidation of cyclohexane yields a mixture of cyclohexylhydroperoxide, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. The cyclohexyl-hydroperoxide is converted to additional cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol before the mixture is concentrated. Cobalt octoate is an active but short-lived catalyst for this transformation. Using a combination of pulse calorimetry and chemical luminescence techniques, a new family of long-lived catalysts has been discovered. These catalysts, based upon the (bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolinato) ligand, are very active and long-lived, allowing cyclohexylhydroperoxide to be converted in a selective, low temperature process.