Selective oxidation of ethylbenzene by a biomimetic combination: Hemin and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)

A biomimetic catalytic system consisting of hemin and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) for the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene with dioxygen is reported. 90.32% conversion of ethylbenzene with 94.30% selectivity for acetophenone (AcPO) can be obtained at 100 °C under 0.3 MPa O2 for 9 h. Hemin can efficiently decompose in situ formed 1-phenylethyl hydroperoxide (PEHP) with AcPO as the main product.