Catalytic Oxidation Processes

This chapter covers the basic chemistry of major large scale industrial oxidation processes. The areas considered are those related to the Wacker process, to the Halcon process for the oxidation of alkenes with hydroperoxides and to the processes based on molecular oxygen. Emphasis is placed on the recent advances in the current technologies capable of increasing process activity and selectivity and addressing those aspects that, in the authors' view, may be amenable of disclosing significant technical improvements in terms of catalyst design, process simplification, use of cheaper or more environmentally friendly oxidants, milder or more sustainable reaction conditions.