Catalyst deactivation and reactivation during aqueous alcohol oxidation in a redox-cycle reactor

Platinum catalyst deactivation during aqueous alcohol oxidation is discussed, using the oxidation of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside as an example. The most important causes of platinum deactivation are catalyst over-oxidation and catalyst poisoning. Deactivation by over-oxidation can be reversed by applying a redox-cycle, i.e. cyclic exposure to oxidative and reductive circumstances. A kinetic model for methyl α-D-glycopyranoside oxidation, platinum deactivation, and reactivation is presented and implemented into a three-phase stirred slurry reactor model, clearly showing the advantages of redox-cycles.