Aerobic-peroxide oxidation of naphthalene in the presence of transition metal on a nanocarbon carrier

The paper describes the results of aerobic-peroxide catalytic oxidation of naphthalene in the presence of iron-containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes Fe@MWCNT. The active nanocarbon substrate containing α-iron atoms and carbides realizes by the Fenton reaction active formation of active particles and intensive oxidation of the hydrocarbon under rather mild conditions. It was found that at the temperature range 333 - 353K, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (30% aqueous solution) and Fe@MWCNT (Fe ≈3.7 wt. %), under intense air current, the reaction proceeds without destroying the cyclic structure of the molecule with predominant formation of phthalic anhydride and naphthol. Identification of the functional groups of the main target products was performed by the infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results obtained can be proposed for further development of such studies and bringing them into compliance with the standards of the industrial process. Keywords: aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons; oxidation of naphthalene; hydrogen peroxide; multi-walled carbon nanotubes; nanocarbon catalysis; Fenton system, oxygencontaining aromatic compounds.