Catalytic wet-air oxidation of carboxylic acids on carbon-supported platinum catalysts

Catalytic wet-air oxidation (CWAO) of aqueous solutions (5 g . l(-1)) of carboxylic acids (formic, oxalic, and maleic) was carried out with air at 293-463 K on carbon-supported platinum catalysts. Platinum was loaded on active charcoal by cationic exchange, then reduced under H-2. Homogeneous dispersions of 1-2 nm metal particles were obtained. CWAO reactions were performed at 1 or 15 bar air pressure in stirred, batch reactors. Total conversion of formic and oxalic acids into carbon dioxide was obtained under very mild conditions (air at atmospheric pressure, 326 K). The Pt/C catalyst was almost inactive for the oxidation of acetic acid but maleic acid was oxidized under moderate conditions (15 bar of air pressure, 405 K) which indicates that the degradation of this acid does not occur via acetic acid.