Catalysts for oxidation of olefins to ketones

摘要

An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins by vapor phase oxidiation of the olefin in the presence of molecular oxygen and water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.