Catalytic oxidation of organic compounds with oxygen in the presence of Mo-V-phosphoric heteropoly acid solutions

The studies carried out at the Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, on the selective catalytic oxidation of organic compounds with oxygen in the presence of aqueous solutions of Mo-V-phosphoric heteropoly acids (HPAs) are reviewed. Alkylphenols are oxidized into 1,4-quinones with a selectivity of 85–99%, and C 2 -C 4 olefins in the presence of Pd complexes are oxidized into carbonyl compounds with a selectivity of 98–99%. The bifunctional (acidic and oxidizing) properties of HPA solutions were used for the first time to synthesize anthraquinones and vitamin K 3 .