Expanded graphite supported copper catalyst for effective oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen under mild conditions

Abstract

A novel cross-shaped copper catalyst supported on an expanded graphite (Cu/EG) substrate was prepared by intermittent feeding. The catalyst was further characterized by scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the Cu/EG exhibited a very high substrate conversion (99.1 %) and a good product (2-cyclohexene-1-one) selectivity (65.5 %) for the oxidation of cyclohexene using oxygen as the only oxidant under mild reaction conditions, and it could be reused with almost the same activity. Furthermore, if the economic benefits was considered, the 4.29 % Cu/EG might be the best catalyst in order to get more 2-cyclohexene-1-one.