Although the oxidation with H2O2 is very effective and environmentally
benign, scientists improved the reaction with new metal catalysts. They are
using W as oxpoeroxo Tungten complexes and Molybdenium. With starting
material cyclohexene or 1,2-cyclohexanediol the yield is 45-86%.13
Other scientists promoted the biocatalytic method of synthetic adipic
acid from D-glucose. It is achieved with genetically transgenic bacteria
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a non-toxic strain of Εscherichia coli,
(Enterobactiriaceae).The scientist who researched and applied the new
biocatalytic synthesis of adipic acid was awarded the “Presidential Green
Chemistry Challenge Awards Program” in 1998 in the USA.
14-17
The new “greener” method of adipic acid from cyclohexene and H2O2
cab be easily set up in a school or university chemical laboratory and is used
as a good example in teaching lessons and practical exercises of Green
Chemistry.