Selective and green oxidation of alcohols and sulfides using mesostructured Cux/Cey mixed oxides

Abstract

Mesostructured mixed metal oxides are one of the best candidates for various oxidations. Here, mesostructured Cux/Cey mixed oxides with various Cu/Ce ratios were prepared using mesoporous silica as a hard template to improve their selectivity and efficiency as the oxidative catalysts. Investigation of the different ratios of Cu/Ce showed that all catalysts are significantly more active than their salts in the oxidation of alcohols and sulfides with some green oxidants. The results demonstrated that the balance of the number of active catalytic centers (concentration of Cu) and the structural characteristics (surface area and oxygen vacancy) determine the activity of the catalysts. It also seems to be a powerful interplay among copper and cerium ions that helps the reduction of both Cu (II) and Ce (IV).