Oxidation of Ethylbenzene Using Nickel Oxide Supported Metal Organic Framework Catalyst

Abstract

A metal organic framework-supported Nickel nanoparticle (Ni–MOF–5) was successfully synthesized using a simple impregnation method. The obtained solid acid catalyst was characterized by Powder X–ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The catalyst was highly crystalline with good thermodynamic stability (up to 400 °C) and high surface area (699 mg). The catalyst was studied for the oxidation of ethyl benzene, and the results were monitored via gas chromatography (GC) and found that the Ni–MOF–5 catalyst was highly effective for ethyl benzene oxidation. The conversion of ethyl benzene and the selectivity for acetophenone were 55.3% and 90.2%, respectively.