Solvent-free partial oxidation of cyclohexane to KA oil over hydrotalcite-derived Cu-MgAlO mixed metal oxides

Abstract A highly efficient and stable hydrotalcite-derived Cu-MgAlO catalyst was developed for the partial oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen. The physical-chemical properties of Cu-MgAlO catalysts were studied, and the results indicated that the copper component had been successfully introduced into the hydrotalcite unit layer structure. The catalytic reaction results showed that copper as the active species could activate C-H bond and effectively promote the decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide (CHHP) to KA oil. 8.3% of cyclohexane conversion and 82.9% of selectivity for KA oil were obtained over 9%Cu-MgAlO catalyst at 150 °C with 0.6 MPa of oxygen pressure for 2 h. Especially, its catalytic performance was still stable after five runs.