Honeycomb reactor: a promising device for streamlining aerobic oxidation under continuous-flow conditions

Abstract

We report on the high potential of a honeycomb reactor for the use in aerobic oxidation under continuous-flow conditions. The honeycomb reactor is made of porous material with narrow channels separated by porous walls allowing for high density accumulation in the reactor. This structure raised the mixing efficiency of a gas–liquid reaction system, and it effectively accelerated the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes under continuous-flow conditions. This reactor is a promising device for streamlining aerobic oxidation with high process safety because it is a closed system.

Keywords

• aerobic oxidation
• benzaldehydes
• benzyl alcohols
• homogeneous catalyst
• honeycomb reactor