(238b) Identifying Structure-Property Relationships for Selective Oxidation Catalysts

The selective oxidation of alkanes, olefins, and oxygen-containing organic compounds is practiced extensively by the chemical industry. Since the thermodynamically preferred end products are carbon dioxide and water, the catalysts used for such processes must be designed so as to avoid over oxidation of the partially oxidized products. This talk will illustrate studies aimed at identifying the role of catalyst composition and structure on the activity and selectivity of catalysts used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes to alkenes, the epoxidation of olefins, the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, and the oxidation and oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethoxymethane and dimethyl carbonate.