Oxygen → Gluconic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

1200 g of an aqueous solution of 360 g (2 mol) of glucose (HI MESH; a product of Aito Co., Ltd.) and 5.4 g (1.5 wt. % based on glucose) of the catalyst prepared as above were placed in a 2.5 l reaction vessel provided with a stirrer, thermometer, alkali dropping funnel, pH electrodes and oxygen inlet. Oxygen gas was introduced into the aqueous solution under vigorous stirring while the temperature was maintained at 50±1° C. As the reaction proceeded, gluconic acid was formed. Gluconic acid was neutralized with a 40 wt. % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution added dropwise thereto so as to maintain the pH of the aqueous solution at 9.5±0.2. 1.0 h after the initiation of the reaction, a theoretical amount (2 mol) of the alkali was consumed. Thereafter, no more alkali was consumed and the reaction no more proceeded. Thus, the completion of the reaction was evident.

Provenance & Evidence