Nanoscale Cu supported catalysts in the partial oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen

Cu supported catalysts (support: ?-Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2) have been conveniently prepared by deposition of Cu particles from acetone solvated Cu atoms. The catalysts have been characterized by HRTEM analysis, showing a quite homogeneous Cu particle size distribution. They are active systems for the partial oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. After the catalytic experiment the Cu/?-Al2O3 and Cu/TiO2 systems can be reused without valuable loss of activity, while the Cu/Fe2O3 system is quite inactive.