CHAPTER 8: Gas-Phase Oxidation of Alcohols: Innovation in Industrial Technologies and Recent Developments

Basic principles and recent developments in gas-phase alcohol oxidation are discussed. Following a brief summary of the main technologies currently used, recent improvements are discussed, from both an industrial and a chemical perspective, by describing the most innovative materials and methods of operation. Catalyst types are briefly described, in relation to both chemical–physical requirements needed to achieve better yields and mechanistic features. Particular attention is given to the fast-growing area of biomass-derived alcohols and polyols, platform molecules for the synthesis of various chemicals by means of catalytic selective oxidation.