Broad spectrum catalytic system for the deep oxidation of toxic organics in aqueous medium using dioxygen as the oxidant

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.