Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
6-30-1964
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering
First Advisor
Saul I. Kreps
Second Advisor
William H. Snyder
Third Advisor
George C. Keeffe
Abstract
The original purpose of this paper was to investigate the reaction kinetics of the air oxidation of para-nitro-toluene (PNT) to para-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA). The reaction was to be carried out at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures between 100 and 175° C, and in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. However the main problem became one of trying to find a catalyst that would work at these conditions. The catalysts used were nickel acetate, cobaltous acetate, manganous acetate and manganese naphthenate. Hydrogen peroxide was tried as an accelerator for the reaction. None of these worked since no yield greater than 0.01% PNBA was ever obtained even after runs of up to 29 hours.
Because such low yields were obtained it is concluded that the oxidation conditions were not vigorous enough and that much higher pressures should be used to carry out the liquid phase oxidation of PNT with gaseous oxygen. The high pressure oxidation could not be tried because suitable equipment was not available.
Recommended Citation
Meisinger, Albert Edward, "An oxidation of para-nitrotoluene" (1964). Theses. 2126.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/2126
