Oxidation catalyst and process

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of heterogeneous catalysis, and more particularly to catalysts including carbon supports having formed thereon compositions which comprise a transition metal in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon. The invention further relates to the fields of catalytic oxidation, including the preparation of secondary amines by the catalytic oxidation of tertiary amines.

1 - 240 . (canceled) 
   
   
       241 . An oxidation catalyst comprising:
 a transition metal composition comprising a transition metal and nitrogen on a carbon support, wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition is present in a proportion of at least about 0.2% by weight of the catalyst.   
   
   
       242 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition comprises a transition metal nitride, transition metal carbide-nitride, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       243 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 242  wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition comprises a transition metal nitride. 
   
   
       244 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 242  wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition comprises a transition metal carbide-nitride. 
   
   
       245 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, cerium, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       246 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 245  wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       247 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 246  wherein the transition metal comprises iron. 
   
   
       248 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 246  wherein the transition metal comprises cobalt. 
   
   
       249 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 245  wherein the transition metal is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten. 
   
   
       250 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 249  wherein the transition metal comprises molybdenum. 
   
   
       251 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 249  wherein the transition metal comprises tungsten. 
   
   
       252 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises a particulate carbon support. 
   
   
       253 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 252  wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition is substantially evenly distributed throughout the carbon particle. 
   
   
       254 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the transition metal/nitrogen composition comprises an active phase for the catalysis of a redox reaction. 
   
   
       255 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the transition metal of the transition metal/nitrogen composition constitutes at least about 0.1% by weight of the catalyst. 
   
   
       256 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 255  wherein the transition metal of the transition metal/nitrogen composition constitutes from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the catalyst. 
   
   
       257 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 241  wherein the nitrogen of the transition metal/nitrogen composition constitutes at least about 0.01% by weight of the catalyst. 
   
   
       258 . The oxidation catalyst as set forth in  claim 257  wherein the nitrogen of the transition metal/nitrogen composition constitutes from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the catalyst. 
   
   
       259 . An oxidation catalyst comprising:
 a carbon support having formed thereon a transition metal composition comprising a transition metal and nitrogen, wherein at least about 5% by weight of said transition metal is present in a non-zero oxidation state.   
   
   
       260 . An oxidation catalyst comprising:
 a carbon support having formed thereon a transition metal composition comprising a transition metal and nitrogen, the catalyst having a total Langmuir surface area of at least about 600 m 2 /g.