SELECTIVE OXIDATION REACTIONS OVER TITANIUM AND VANADIUM METALLOSILICATE MOLECULAR-SIEVES

Selective oxidation reactions like the oxyfunctionalization of alkanes, hydroxylation of aromatics and sulfoxidation of thioethers have been carried out with dilute hydrogen peroxide over titanium and vanadium metallosilicate molecular sieves with MEL topology, viz., TS-2 and VS-2. Though both the catalysts possess similar activities, substantial differences in the product distribution are observed. The oxyfunctionalization of the primary carbon atoms of the alkanes and the oxidation of the methyl substituents of the aromatic hydrocarbons distinguish VS-2 from TS-2. Both the catalysts are found to be equally active in the hydroxylation of phenol, though they possess different activities in different solvents. In general, the oxidations are ''deeper'' over VS-2 than on TS-2.