Direct synthesis of phenol from benzene catalyzed by multi-V-POMs complex

• A POM-based catalyst with multi-isolated vanadium was synthesized.
• V atoms were located in both of the cation and anion parts of the catalyst.
• Catalytic performance was higher than any parts of the catalyst used alone.
• The increased ordered active sites enhanced the activities of the catalyst.
• The reused catalyst structure is maintained and its catalytic activity is stable.

A novel catalyst, [Mo2V2O9(bpy)6][PMo11VO40], was synthesized by the self-assembling of [PMo11VO40]4− and [Mo2V2O9(bpy)6]4+ unit and characterized by elemental analyses, TG, IR, X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray single crystal diffraction. [Mo2V2O9(bpy)6][PMo11VO40] with multi-isolated active sites showed good catalytic activities for hydroxylation of benzene to phenol. A high yield of phenol (25.5%) with selectivity to phenol of 90.7% was obtained using H2O2 as oxidant. The catalyst can be recycled for 5 times while its structure was unchanged and its catalytic activity was maintained.

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