Cycloalkane oxidation catalysts and method to produce alcohols and ketones

A method of oxidizing a cycloalkane to form a product mixture containing a corresponding alcohol and ketone, said method comprising contacting a cycloalkane with a cyclohexyl hydroperoxide compound in the presence of at least a cerium oxide based catalyst that has a cerium oxide content of at least 60 wt %, wherein the cerium oxide based catalyst is at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of:

• a composition comprising cerium oxide and at least one oxide of another rare earth,
• a composition comprising cerium oxide and at least one compound of another rare earth,
• a cerium composite oxide comprising at least cerium oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide and at least one oxide of another rare earth, and/or
• a composition comprising cerium oxide, zirconium oxide and at least one oxide of another rare earth;
• and
• wherein the cerium oxide based catalyst at least includes an oxide of a rare earth of one of praseodymium oxide and/or lanthanum oxide,
• wherein the cerium oxide based catalyst is used as such.