Basic Evaluation of the Catalytic Pattern of the CuCeO x System in the Wet Oxidation of Phenol with Oxygen.

The working mechanism of a ceria-supported Cu (Cu_at:Ce_at = 1:10) system in the Catalytic Wet Oxidation (CWO) of phenol with O₂ ( T _R, 130–170 °C; P _{O 2}, 7 atm) has been thoroughly assessed. Basic relationships amongst pH, extent of leaching and rate of phenol and TOC conversion prove the major contribution of a homogeneous catalytic path by Cu ions on the peculiar CWO pattern of supported copper catalyst. In addition, gas-phase reduction/oxidation tests signal the lack of reversibility of the redox cycle of the CuCeO _x system under typical reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]