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Metallic palladium was observed to catalyze the deep oxidation of a broad range of functional organics by dioxygen at 80-90 degrees C in water and in the presence of carbon monoxide or dihydrogen. Several classes or organic compounds were studied: benzene, pheno and substituted phenols, nitro and halo organics, organophosphorus, and organosulfur compounds. For all cases, deep oxidation to CO, CO2 and water occurred in high yields, resulting in up to several hundred turnovers over a 24 hr period.

The degradation of plastic waste can be facilitated by a process in which polymers react with nitrogen oxides and dioxygen under relatively mild conditions. Polystyrene generates a mixture of benzoic and nitrobenzoic acids. Both high- and low-density polyethylene produce mixtures of short-chain α,ω-diacids (including adipic acid) in good yields. A mixture of acids is also formed from nylon-6,6. Other polymers that are degraded to oligomeric materials include polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyacrylic acid., (© 1998 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Fed. Rep. of Germany.)