2,3,5-Trimethylphenol oxidation over Co-based solid catalysts

2,3,5-Trimethylphenol (TMP) was oxidized with hydrogen peroxide employing cobalt based solid materials. K6[CoW12O40]·6H2O (CoW12) was probed as selective catalyst for the oxidation obtaining better results when it was supported over ZSM-5 zeolites (CoW12-ZSM-5). CoW12-ZSM-5 was found to be an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of TMP to 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone (TMBQ) and 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ) under mild reaction conditions. Liquid phase reaction parameters were evaluated obtaining better results employing hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, with an oxidant/substrate molar ratio of 5, methanol as solvent and 60 °C as reaction temperature. An apparent activation energy of 94.19 kJ/mol was obtained.

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► Trimethylphenol selective oxidation to trimethylbenzoquinone and trimethylhydroquinone.
► K6[CoW12O40]·6H2O supported on ZSM-5 presents best behavior as oxidation catalyst.
► The estimate activation energy for trimethylphenol oxidation is 94.19 kJ/mol.