Designing a Molecular Sieve Catalyst for the Aerial Oxidation ofn-Hexane to Adipic Acid

The aerobic oxyfunctionalization of both (methyl) ends of n-hexane by a MAlPO-18 catalyst requires a significant amount of higher valent framework cobalt ions (M=CoIII) located on the inner walls of each cage of the AlPO-18 structure (Co:P ratio ca. 0.10; see picture). The two tetrahedrally coordinated CoIII framework ions per cage are separated by about 7–8 Å. The CoIII ions function as centers for the regioselective oxidation of both ends of the n-hexane molecule to produce adipic acid.