What Is Catalytic Oxidation?

Catalytic oxidation refers to an oxidation reaction carried out under certain pressure and temperature conditions, using metal materials (such as Pt, Pd, Ni, Cu, etc.) or inorganic ligand catalysts, in the presence of oxidants such as air, oxygen, or ozone. It includes two types: "oxygen addition" and "dehydrogenation".

When ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is converted to CH3CHO, this is dehydrogenation oxidation, in which the carbon–oxygen single bond becomes a double bond. Chemical equation: 2C2H5OH + O2 → 2CH3CHO + 2H2O (conditions: copper or silver as catalyst, heating). CH3CHO → CH3COOH, on the other hand, involves the addition of one more oxygen atom.

Ethanol can also react with acidic potassium permanganate or acidic potassium dichromate solutions and be directly oxidized to acetic acid.

Catalytic oxidation of ammonia: 4NH3 + 5O2 = (catalyst, Δ) 4NO + 6H2O

Catalytic oxidation technology is also widely used in the chemical and environmental protection fields, such as the catalytic oxidation of ammonia to produce nitric acid, and the low-temperature catalytic oxidation of propane for VOCs treatment.

By using a catalyst to enhance the decomposition of the oxidant, the chemical reaction between pollutants in wastewater and the oxidant is accelerated, thereby removing pollutants from the water.

In October 2026, a thousand-ton-scale continuous air catalytic oxidation plant for high-end fluorine-containing new materials successfully completed its first feed trial in Lianyungang, Jiangsu.