Preparation of Highly Dispersed Pd–Cu on Silica for the Aerobic Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol Under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Highly dispersed Pd–Cu on silica was synthesized under sonication and used as a catalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene using air, O2 and H2O2 as oxidants. Air was found to be better oxidant for phenol yield (225 μmol/g catalyst) and selectivity with neat benzene. However, when aqueous H2SO4 and CH3CN mixture was used as solvent there was a remarkable increase in the phenol yield (129 μmol/0.1 g catalyst). The catalyst was recycled 5 times without any significant loss in its activity. Pd–Cu on silica was synthesized under sonication and used as a catalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene using air, O2 and H2O2 as oxidants. Air was found to be better oxidant for phenol yield (225 µmol/g catalyst) and selectivity with neat benzene.