Boosting one-step conversion of cyclohexane to adipic acid by NO2 and VPO composite catalysts

Abstract

We demonstrate VPO composites as efficient catalysts for highly selective oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid with NO₂. In particular, the Ni–Al–VPO composite catalyst exhibits the striking conversion of cyclohexane (60.6%) and exceptionally high selectivity towards adipic acid (85.0%). Moreover, N₂O is an environmentally harmful gas, and its yield in the present process is only 0.03 t/t adipic acid, which is far below that obtained using the industrial method (0.3 t/t adipic acid). This work provides a new strategy for the one-step synthesis of dicarboxylic acids from cycloalkanes.