Selective Catalytic Oxidation Processes in Organic Systems

Selective catalytic oxidation in organic systems encompasses a family of transformations in which specific C–H or C=C bonds are converted into functionalised products under the influence of tailored catalysts and mild oxidants. By steering reaction pathways towards epoxides, allylic alcohols, ketones or aldehydes, chemists can generate high-value intermediates for polymers, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Advances in heterogeneous catalysts—often metal oxides or supported metal nanoparticles—have enabled the use of molecular oxygen or hydrogen peroxide as benign oxidants, reducing reliance on stoichiometric reagents. Control over activity and selectivity is achieved through rational design of active sites, support properties and reaction media, allowing solvent-free or biphasic approaches that align with green-chemistry principles. Mechanistic studies now distinguish radical from non-radical pathways, revealing how surface-confined species or core–shell oxide structures influence turnover frequency and suppress over-oxidation. Continuous-flow reactors and regenerative catalyst systems promise scalable and energy-efficient production. Emerging applications extend to biomass-derived substrates, where selective oxidation unlocks routes to aromatic aldehydes and diols. Despite marked progress, challenges remain in balancing reactivity, stability and sustainability to deliver economically viable processes with minimal environmental footprint.

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Selective Catalytic Oxidation Processes in Organic Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in selective catalytic oxidation processes in organic systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Epoxidation: The addition of one oxygen atom across a C=C bond to form an epoxide ring.

Allylic oxidation: Selective oxidation at a carbon atom adjacent to a double bond, typically yielding alcohols or ketones.

Heterogeneous catalyst: A solid material that facilitates reaction of reactants in a different phase, often liquid or gas.

Turnover frequency (TOF): The number of reactant molecules converted to product per active site per unit time.

Selectivity: The fraction of total converted reactant that forms the desired product.

Oxidant: A chemical species that accepts electrons in an oxidation reaction, such as O₂ or H₂O₂.

References

1. Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Cyclohexene with Molecular Oxygen: Radical Versus Nonradical Pathways. ChemCatChem (2018).
2. Concepts of Heterogeneously Catalyzed Liquid‐Phase Oxidation of Cyclohexene with tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide, Hydrogen Peroxide and Molecular Oxygen. ChemCatChem (2022).
3. Mesoporous Copper-Cerium Mixed Oxide Catalysts for Aerobic Oxidation of Vanillyl Alcohol. Catalysts (2023).
4. Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexene over the Mesoporous H‑Beta Zeolite on Copper/Nickel Bimetal Catalyst in Continuous Reactor. ACS Omega (2024).