Safe, high-yield oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons such as terpenes, e.g. by photo-oxidation, with the oxidation and reduction agents being removed before each reduction or oxidation step

摘要

Oxidation of (a)cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons by an oxidation-reduction-oxidation process is such that the oxidation and reduction agents are removed before each reduction or oxidation step Oxidation of (a)cyclic, unsaturated hydrocarbons (I) optionally containing heteroatoms and/or functional groups comprises: (a) partially oxidizing (I) in bulk or as a solution , dispersion or emulsion with an O2 (-containing) gas in presence of a catalyst or sensitizer such that the O2 can dissolve in the liquid; (b) partially or completely reducing the oxidation product; (c) recycling the reduced or partially reduced product to step (a); and (d) removing the oxidation or reduction agent before each reduction or oxidation step.