Oxidation Reactions
Catalytic oxidation steps are included in the manufacture of the main industrial chemicals sulfuric and nitric acid. HNO3 manufacture begins with ammonia that is oxidized to NO. A extremely active Pt-Rh catalyst is employed, the contact time being minimized to prevent creating the thermodynamically more favorable results N2 and N2O. To create
H2SO4 it is essential to oxidize SO2 to SO3. The catalyst is vanadium pentoxide, V2O5. Oxides of post -transition and transition metals are also employed for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons; for instance, from alkenes to acid anhydrides and carbonyl compounds, that are employed for polymer manufacture. The action of these catalysts comes out to rely on the capability of the metallic element to alter oxidation state and coordination number.
From the catalyst surface to the adsorbed reactant molecules oxygen is transferred that is then reoxidized in other step.