Ruthenium catalysts supported on high-surface-area zirconia for the catalytic wet oxidation of N,N-dimethyl formamide.

Three weight percent ruthenium catalysts were prepared by incipient-wet impregnation of two different zirconium oxides, and characterized by BET, XRD and TPR. Their activity was evaluated in the catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) of N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) in an autoclave reactor. Due to a better dispersion, Ru catalyst supported on a high-surface-area zirconia (Ru/ZrO(2)-A) possessed higher catalytic properties. Due to over-oxidation of Ru particles, the catalytic activity of the both catalysts decreased during successive tests. The effect of oxygen partial pressure and reaction temperature on the DMF reactivity in the CWO on Ru/ZrO(2)-A was also investigated. 98.6% of DMF conversion was obtained through hydrothermal decomposition within 300 min at conditions of 200 degrees C and 2.0 MPa of nitrogen pressure. At 240 degrees C and 2.0 MPa of oxygen pressure 98.3% of DMF conversion was obtained within 150 min.