Selective Catalysis of the Aerobic Oxidation of Cyclohexane in the Liquid Phase by Carbon Nanotubes

Putting the N in nanotube: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) catalyze the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane into cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, and adipic acid with excellent activity and controllable selectivity. The catalytic activity is further enhanced by nitrogen dopants in the nanotube (see diagram; AC=activated carbon, MWCNT=multiwalled CNT, N-CNT=nitrogen-doped CNT).