Catalytic Mechanisms in Oxidation Reactions

Catalytic oxidation reactions play a central role in addressing global challenges in energy conversion, pollution control and chemical synthesis. At their core, these processes rely on materials that facilitate the transfer of oxygen species to organic or inorganic substrates under mild conditions. Two overarching families of mechanistic pathways are commonly invoked: surface redox cycles, typified by the Mars–van Krevelen mechanism in which lattice oxygen participates directly in the reaction, and dual-site surface reactions, as described by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model in which both reactants adsorb and react at neighbouring active centres. Key catalytic materials include mixed metal oxides, perovskites and supported noble metals, each offering distinct balances of oxygen mobility, redox flexibility and adsorption strength. Advances in material design now allow tuning of oxygen vacancies, electronic structure and metal-support interactions to optimise activity, selectivity and stability. Practical applications range from automotive exhaust treatment—where oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons must meet stringent emission standards—to fine chemicals manufacture, in which selective partial oxidation is vital. The interplay between defect chemistry, surface acidity or basicity, and nanoparticle dispersion underpins ongoing efforts to develop catalysts that combine low cost, high durability and minimal environmental footprint.

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Catalytic Mechanisms in Oxidation Reactions publication trend

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Technical terms

Mars–van Krevelen mechanism: A redox process in which lattice oxygen from a solid catalyst reacts with a substrate and is subsequently replenished by gaseous oxygen.

Oxygen vacancy: A point defect in an oxide lattice where an oxygen ion is missing, enhancing oxygen mobility and providing active sites for oxidation.

Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism: A surface-reaction model in which two adsorbed species migrate and react at adjacent active sites.

Perovskite structure: A crystalline oxide framework of general formula ABO₃, known for its tunable electronic and defect properties.

References

1. Enhancing the Performance of BaxMnO3 (x = 1, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7) Perovskites as Catalysts for CO Oxidation by Decreasing the Ba Content. Nanomaterials (2024).
2. Improving the Performance of BaMnO3 Perovskite as Soot Oxidation Catalyst Using Carbon Black during Sol-Gel Synthesis. Nanomaterials (2022).
3. Copper Catalysts Supported on Barium Deficient Perovskites for CO Oxidation Reaction. Topics in Catalysis (2022).