Advances in coupling catalytic selective oxidation reactions with in situ synthesis of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

This review presents recent advances in coupling in situ hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) synthesis with selective oxidation reactions. As a green oxidant, H₂O₂ plays an important role in the chemical industry. However, conventional production methods often yield highly concentrated H₂O₂, which is not suitable for direct use in reactions and raises significant safety concerns. The integration of in situ H₂O₂ generation with selective oxidation allows for the immediate use of low-concentration H₂O₂, improving both safety and process efficiency. This review summarizes various strategies for in situ H₂O₂ production, including enzymatic and catalytic approaches, and discusses their application in representative oxidation reactions such as olefin epoxidation, benzene hydroxylation, methane oxidation, adipic acid synthesis, Fenton processes, oxidative desulfurization, and the oxidation of sulfides to sulfones. Special attention is given to recent developments in catalyst composition and structural design, particularly in olefin oxidation. This review concludes with a summary of the advantages of in situ H₂O₂ synthesis and offers perspectives on future research directions aimed at improving reaction efficiency, economic feasibility, and the development of sustainable green chemistry technologies.

Keywords: In situ hydrogen peroxide; Olefin epoxidation; Benzene hydroxylation; Tandem reaction; Desulfurization.