Alexander S. Kharitonov

Biomimetic oxidation on Fe complexes in zeolites

One-step hydroxylation of aromatic nucleus with nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is among recently discovered organic reactions. A high efficiency of FeZSM-5 zeolites in this reaction relates to a pronounced biomimetic-type activity of iron complexes stabilized in ZSM-5 matrix. N 2 O decomposition on these complexes produces particular atomic oxygen form (α-oxygen), whose chemistry is similar to that performed by the active oxygen of enzyme monooxygenases. Room temperature oxidation reactions of α-oxygen as well as the data on the kinetic isotope effect and Moessbauer spectroscopy show FeZSM-5 zeolite to be a successful biomimetic model.

Room temperature oxidation of methane to methanol on FEZSM-5 zeolite surface

Summary A specific surface oxygen form produced upon N 2 O decomposition on FeZSM-5 zeolite was shown to oxidize selectively methane to methanol at room temperature.