Effect of pH in the Pd-Catalyzed Oxidation of D-Glucose to D-Gluconic Acid

Abstract

Abstract The pH effect on the Pd-catalyzed oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid was studied. The oxidation reactions were performed in the pH range 2 to 9 in a batch reactor using Pd/C or Pd black as the catalysts and monitoring the behaviour of the catalyst during the oxidation reaction. The Pd-glucose system was also studied by cyclic voltammetry. It is concluded that gluconic acid in its free form reversibly inhibits the oxidation process in acidic media.