Methods and apparatus for the synthesis of useful compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for activation of a low reactivity, non-polar chemical compound. In one example embodiment, the method comprises introducing the low reactivity chemical compound to a catalyst. At least one of (a) an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent and (b) a polar compound is provided to the catalyst and the chemical compound. An alternating current is applied to the catalyst to produce an activation reaction in the chemical compound. This activation reaction produces a useful product. The present invention also relates to a method for oxidizing aromatic compounds by electrocatalysis to oxidized products.

1 . A method for oxidizing chemical compounds to oxidized products by electrocatalysis comprising:
 i) providing a catalytic cell;   ii) applying a polarized current or voltage to the catalytic cell;   iii) passing a gaseous stream of air or oxygen or a mixture of oxygen; and one or more inert gases and the compound to be oxidized over the catalytic cell.   
     
     
         2 . A method for oxidizing aromatic compounds to oxidized products by electrocatalysis comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a catalytic cell comprising a cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2);   ii) applying a polarized current or voltage to the catalytic cell;   iii) passing a gaseous stream of air or oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and one or more inert gases and the aromatic compound to be oxidized over the catalytic cell.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said catalytic cell comprises a working electrode comprising a substrate having a manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve catalyst (OMS-2) thereon; a counter electrode and a reference electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said OMS-2 contains nano-metal particles. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the metal is chosen from the group consisting of Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ , Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ , V 4+ , V 5+ , Ti 4+ , Ti 3+ , Cr 3+ , Cr 2+ , Co 3+ , Cu 1+ , Ce 3+ , Ce 4+ , La 3+ , Na + , K + , Ba 2+ , Y 3+ , Zr 4+ , Li + , Sr 2+ . 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the OMS-2 containing nano-metal particles is Pt-OMS-2. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the substrate is a porous material. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the porous material has a pore size of 5-20 mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the porous material is Corning Honeycomb Cordierite®. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the porous material is chosen from the group consisting of yttrium stabilized zirconium, CeO 2  and HfO 2 . 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the working electrode comprises silver or platinum gauze supported by an insulated pad, the working electrode in contact with the substrate having a cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve catalyst thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the catalyst is Pt-OMS-2. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the counter electrode is a silver or platinum wire. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the reference electrode is a silver or platinum wire. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said catalytic cell is heated to a temperature of between about 25° and about 900° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said catalytic cell is heated to a temperature of between about 100° and about 450° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the oxidation is accomplished at a pressure of about 1 atm to about 2 atm. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the gaseous stream further comprises CO 2  and water vapor alone or in combination. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said aromatic compound is chosen from the group consisting of benzene and its derivatives. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the aromatic compound is benzene and the oxidized product is acetophenone. 
     
     
         21 . A method for oxidizing aromatic compounds to oxidized products by electrocatalysis comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a catalytic cell comprising a metal oxide chosen from the group consisting of CuO x , Ni O x , ZnO and VO x  (wherein x is an integer from 1-4;   ii) applying a polarized current or voltage to the catalytic cell;   iii) passing a gaseous stream of air or oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and one or more inert gases and the aromatic compound to be oxidized over the catalytic cell.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the catalytic cell is heated to a temperature of about between about 25° C. and about 900° C. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the oxidation is accomplished at a pressure of about 1 atm to about 2 atm. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the gaseous stream further comprises CO 2  and water vapor alone or in combination. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the aromatic compound is a derivative of benzene. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the aromatic compound is benzene and the oxidized product is acetophenone.