Group XXI.  Catalysis in Organic Technology

Research activity

The research activity is in the field of catalysis in organic chemistry. Particular attention was paid to the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons on synthetic zeolites and transformation of toluene catalyzed by HZSM-5. The role of free radical species in hydrocarbon transformations on zeolites has been evaluated. The research of  catalysts for catalytic combustion of methane was supported by Commission of the European Communities (INCO-COPERNICUS) in the period of 1999-2002. Mechanism of C₆-C₇ cycloparaffins oxidation with molecular oxygen and hydroperoxides in the presence of  homogeneous catalysts is also investigated.

Besides the fundamental researches, there are carried out investigations related to technology of liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexane in order to increase selectivity and conversion, and to intensify the process which is commercialized in Poland and licensed as CYCLOPOL to several countries.

Selected Scientific Publications:

1.       P.T. Wierzchowski, L.W. Zatorski, Applied Catalysis B Environmental, 44,  53-65 (2003) „Kinetics of catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and methane combustion over alumina supported Ga₂O₃, SnO₂ or V₂O₅“,

2.       R. Pohorecki, J. Bałdyga, W. Moniuk, W. Podgórska, A. Zdrójkowski, P.T. Wierzchowski, Chemical Engineering Science, 56, 1285-1291 (2001), “Kinetic model of cyclohexane oxidation”,

3.       P.T. Wierzchowski, L.W. Zatorski, Catalysis Letters, 78, 171-176 (2002), “Catalysts for combustion containing tin and copper overloaded on ZSM-5 zeolite”,

Patent:

1.       R. Pohorecki, W. Moniuk, P.T. Wierzchowski, et al, Polish Patent,  PL181569 (2001), “Method of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone manufacturing and device to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone manufacturing”,