Aminoalcohol oxidation with Gold catalysts: the effect of amino group

Gold catalysts have been prepared by sol immobilization using Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) as a protective and reducing agent or by deposition on different supports (Al2O3, TiO2, MgAl2O4, and MgO). The catalytic systems have been tested in the liquid phase oxidation of aminoalcohols (serinol and ethanolamine) and the corresponding polyols (glycerol and ethylene glycol). This comparison allowed us to state that the presence of amino groups has a crucial effect on the catalytic performance, in particular decreasing the durability to the catalysts, but did not substantially vary the selectivity. A support effect has been as well established.