Catalysis Letters, Vol.128, No.1-2, 210-220, 2009
Statistical Modelling and Analysis of the Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol over K-Mn/C Catalysts
We report the application of statistical multivariate analysis to optimize the process parameters (including temperature, O-2 pressure, concentration of benzyl alcohol, Mn content, and K:Mn molar ratio) in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol using molecular oxygen over K-Mn/C catalysts. This multi-regression model, based on 38 experimental runs, shows reasonably accurate prediction on the benzyl alcohol conversion and turnover frequency (TOF). Moreover, the synergistic effects between reaction parameters are revealed, in particular, it is found that the benzyl alcohol conversion and TOF are in positive correlation with temperature, O-2 pressure and K:Mn molar ratio, with temperature having the most significant impact. In contrast, the concentration of benzyl alcohol and Mn content affect the conversion and TOF in a complex and opposite way. We hope to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the reaction process and provide valuable guidance for industrial scale-up of the reaction with the objective of optimal operations.