An improved process for preparing secondary alcohols

This invention relates to an improved process for preparing secondary alcohols comprising of contacting the n-paraffins with oxygen, air or oxygen containing inert gas such as nitrogen and boric acid or borate ester of fatty acid, the said boric acid/borate ester concentration is 0.1 to 10% weight of the n-paraffin, at temperature in the range of 150-250 deg C, and pressure in the range of 0.01 to 10 bar for a period of 1-10 h, characterized by; Mixing the n-paraffin with the catalyst in the range between 1-500 ppm, the said catalyst comprises an alkyl, aryl or alkyl-aryl phosphate of a group-VIII metal preferably Zn; Recovering the secondary alcohols by hydrolysis of borate ester.