Transalkyl reductive functionalization

Scheme 13 Plausible route to alcohols, ROH, using M as a C-H activation catalyst via O-atom insertion by a transalkyl reductive functionalization (TRF) cycle where to yield ROH...

The reaction was shown to proceed by the following sequence (1) insertion of Se02 into the Re-CHs bond, (2) oxidation of Se to Se and (3) outersphere backside attack by water on the Se leading to the corresponding alcohol via a process we refer to as transalkyl reductive functionalization (TRF). 

The Brpnsted acidity in the zeolite is responsible for the transalkylation of the methyl to the phenolic ring, giving phenol, cresols, and xylenols as products and so reduces the loss of carbon as methane. The metal function catalyzes demethylation, hydrodeoxygenation, and hydrogenation. Pt/SiO, a catalyst with only a metal function, produced only traces of methylated products, with 70% benzene, 15% methane, and 13% cyclohexane at complete anisol conversion, while the bifunctional Pt/beta yielded 50% benzene, 25% toluene, 10% xylene, 5% methane, and almost no saturated products. Use of a bifunctional catalyst is thereby very beneficial. Moreover, the presence of the metal also improves the catalyst stability with a moderate reduction in coke formation. 

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