Catalytic Oxidation of o-Chlorotoluene with Oxygen to o-Chlorobenzaldehyde in a Microchannel Reactor

Liquid-phase selective oxidation of o-chlorotoluene (OCT) to o-chlorobenzaldehyde (OCBD) with oxygen as the oxidant catalyzed by a cobalt acetate/manganese acetate/potassium bromide (Co(OAc)(2)/Mn(OAc)(2)/KBr) system was studied in a microchannel reactor using acetic acid doped with a small amount of water as the reaction medium. The reaction parameters were easily controlled by performing the reaction in a microchannel reactor. A selectivity as high as 71.8% for OCBD was achieved by maintaining the conversion of OCT at 10.3% under the optimal reaction conditions.