Gibbs‐Wohl Naphthalene Oxidation

AbstractIn this reaction, air and naphthalene produce phthalic anhydride as the only product, an efficient way of carrying out chemical reactions, which has directed inventions of other oxidation of aromatic compounds, such as the production of anthraquinone from anthracene, and phenanthraquinone from phenanthrene. Therefore, this process is known as Gibbs phthalic anhydride process. In the original patent, catalytic efficiency of many metal oxides was tested and V2O5was found to be the best catalyst. Therefore, this reaction is also known as Gibbs–Wohl oxidation of naphthalene. This reaction is the primary method for the production of phthalic anhydride in industry.