Catalytic selective oxidation – Fundamentals, Consolidated Technologies, and Directions for Innovations

Catalytic selective oxidation accounts for the production of several organic and inorganic chemicals in the petrochemical, fine and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Table 1 lists the main industrial oxidation processes used in the petrochemical industry for the synthesis of organic compounds. Many of the chemicals listed are intermediates for the polymer industry, and are currently produced in huge quantities, i.e., several million tons per year