Catalytic properties of metals of the 2nd and 12th groups in cumene oxidation

Using kinetic modeling, a comparative study of the catalytic properties of metals of the 2nd and 12th groups (Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg) in the composition of 2-ethylhexanoates was carried out in the industrial cumene oxidation. It has been established that: 1) in terms of the combination of catalytic properties (acceleration of cumene oxidation and selectivity), it is necessary to recognize Mg and Cd to be the best: Mg accelerates the process more strongly than Cd, but Cd lowers the selectivity to a lesser extent relative to the selectivity of the non-catalytic process (the selectivity at a low initial catalyst concentration is comparable to the selectivity of a non-catalytic process); 2) the values of the accumulation rate of cumene hydroperoxide (target product) in the industrial cumene oxidation correlate with the values of the covalent atomic radii of the corresponding metals. [Display omitted] •Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg catalysts was studied in cumene oxidation by kinetic model.•Mg, Ca, Sr, Cd accelerate the industrial cumene oxidation to the greatest extent.•Mg and Cd are recognized to be the best among Mg, Ca, Sr, Cd catalysts.•The accumulation rate of cumene hydroperoxide correlates with atomic radius of metal.