Enhancing effect of S and F moieties on the performance of Fenton system in the selective oxidation of propane

The selective oxidation of propane to oxygenated products (isopropanol, n-propanol, propionic aldehyde and acetone) mediated by the Fe(II)/H₂O₂ Fenton system at 80 °C in the presence of solid acid and superacid promoters containing S and F moieties has been studied. The occurrence of a radical reaction pathway accounting for the activation of the CH bonds of the propane molecule by OH radicals has been proved by assessing the inhibiting effect of both Cl⁻ and NO₃⁻ radical scavengers and organic (CH₃COOH, CH₃CN, DMSO) reaction media on the reaction pattern. S and F functionalities of several solid agents promote the electron transfer processes controlling the H₂O₂ activation. Any effect of the Brönsted acid features of the solid promoters on the reaction kinetics and pathway has been disregarded.