Catalyst for activating molecular oxygen

摘要

The invention relates to a catalyst for activating molecular oxygen which is to be exposed to the action of a radiation source. The activation energy is transmitted via a photosensitiser which has at least one chromophoric group. Known catalysts of this type are produced by converting the photosensitiser into a solid state by chemical reactions with a binder. It must be used in a very fine-grain state so that it can be separated off again from the reaction medium later by filtration. This is prevented according to the invention by the sensitiser exposed to radiation and the molecular oxygen being formed by a pigment of at least one dye of the group including phthalocyanines on the one hand and diazotised beta -naphthol on the other hand. Such pigments do not need to be first converted into a solid state, but they can be used directly for heterogeneous catalysis. Their non-toxicity permits the use of oxygen activated therewith for medical purposes.