Method of photocatalytic conversion of C-H organics
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsDonald M. Camaioni, Michael A. Lilga
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Abstract
The present invention is the addition of a semiconductor material and energy to the reaction mixture of organic, acid (for example, trifluoroacetate), and oxygen. A transition metal ion may be added to the reaction mixture. The semiconductor material converts energy to oxidants thereby promoting oxidation of the organic. Alternatively, using metal in combination with exposure to light may be used.
Claims22
A method for converting a C--H compound to an ester, said ester stable from further oxidation, comprising the steps of preparing a premixture of said C--H compound with an acid, ensuring that an oxidant is present, oxidizing said C--H compound to form a C--H compound radical, reacting the C--H compound radical with the acid and bonding the acid to the C of the C--H compound and replacing the H and producing the ester, the acid rendering the C stable from further oxidation, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
- (a) adding a semiconductor to the premixture and forming a reactive mixture;
- and
- (b) exposing the reactive mixture to light and forming said C--H compound radical.
A method of converting a C--H compound to an ester, comprising the steps of:
- (a) combining in a single vessel a reactant organic compound having a C--H bond, with an acid solution having an H.sup.+ ion and an acid counter ion, the reactant organic compound contacting the acid solution, and forming a premixture;
- (b) ensuring that an oxidant is present;
- (c) adding a semiconductor to the premixture forming a reactive mixture;
- and
- (d) maintaining the reactive mixture at an operating temperature and pressure while exposing the reactive mixture to light and forming a C--H compound radical and reacting with the acid counter ion and the oxidant in the acid solution and bonding the acid to the C of the C--H compound and replacing the H and producing the ester, the acid counter ion rendering the C stable from further oxidation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.