Heteroatom-incorporated zeolite catalysis for green selective oxidation: from fundamental understanding to industrial applications

Oxidation reactions are pivotal transformation processes in the chemical industry; however, traditional oxidation technologies suffer from severe challenges, including low atomic efficiency, environmental contamination, and equipment corrosion. Framework metals (e.g., Ti, Sn) in heteroatom-incorporated zeolites feature unoccupied outer electron orbitals, which can accept lone pairs from electron-rich functional groups. This enables targeted activation of organic substrates or oxidants, facilitating efficient oxidation reactions under mild conditions. Drawing on Sinopec’s practical advancements in the synthesis and catalytic applications of heteroatom-incorporated zeolites, this paper systematically elaborates on key scientific issues, such as the substitution sites of metal atoms, their coordination states, the properties and transformations of acid sites, and diverse strategies for directional catalytic activation. Additionally, it presents the industrialization progress and prospects of green oxidation processes, including cyclohexanone ammoximation and propylene epoxidation. The work aims to provide insights for the efficient development of catalytic materials and the green transition of the chemical industry in pursuit of the “dual carbon” goals.