Molecular Catalysts Capable of Catalyzing Oxidation of Hydrocarbons and Method for Oxidizing Hydrocarbons

摘要

This invention relates to molecular catalysts and chemical reactions utilizing the same, and particularly to molecular catalysts for efficient catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons, such as hydrocarbons from natural gas. The molecular catalytic platform provided herein is capable of the facile oxidation of hydrocarbons, for example, under ambient conditions such as near room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

主权项

1. A catalytic process for oxidation of a hydrocarbon to generate an oxidation product, said process comprising the steps of:
contacting said hydrocarbon with a copper catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent; thereby generating said oxidation product; and regenerating said copper catalyst; wherein said copper catalyst comprises a tricopper complex comprising three Cu ions and a ligand (L) having the formula (FX1):wherein
each of m and n is independently 0, 1 or 2; each of e, f, g and h is independently 0 or 1; each of X1 and X2 is independently O, S, N or P; each of Y1 and Y2 is independently O, S, N or P; and each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 is independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C5-C10 aryl, C5-C10 heteroaryl, C1-C10 acyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C5-C10 alkylaryl, —OH, —CH2OH, —COOH, —NH2 or —CO(NH2); or wherein R1 and R5 combine to form a C2-C4 alkylene thereby forming with adjacent moieties a heterocyclic 6-, 7- or 8-member ring and wherein R2 and R6 combine to form a C2-C4 alkylene, thereby forming with adjacent moieties a heterocyclic 6-, 7- or 8-member ring.