Ethanol oxidation with heterogeneous catalysis in flow: a batch to flow conversion

Acetic acid is considered to be an important chemical commodity as both a solvent and Bronsted acid. Being one of the first organic molecules that was synthesized in history (Kolbe, 1845), there are a wide range of procedures for its manufacturing. Despite this fact, industrial scale production now requires more environmentally friendly solutions for its sustainable production.

Heterogeneous catalysis has been found to be a useful alternative method to the current Monsanto process industry currently utilizes. With the combination of ThalesNano’s Phoenix Flow Reactor™ and Gas Module™ a reactor system has been built, which is capable to control high temperature–high pressure triphasic gas-liquid-solid reactions providing a safe and efficient environment for organic chemists.

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