Solvent-free selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde by tert-butyl hydroperoxide over U3O8-supported nano-gold catalysts

Liquid-phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde by tertiary butyl hydroperoxide over different uranium oxide supported nano-gold catalysts in the absence of a solvent has been thoroughly investigated. The influences of catalyst parameters [viz. method of gold deposition (impregnation, co-precipitation, deposition–precipitation and homogeneous deposition–precipitation), gold loading (0–8 wt%) and catalyst calcination temperature (100–900 °C)] on the catalyst performance have been investigated. The influence of reaction conditions [viz. reaction time (0–2 h) and temperature (25–94 °C)] on the process performance has also been studied. The Au/U3O8 catalyst prepared by the homogeneous deposition–precipitation and calcined at 400 °C showed very high activity (100% benzyl alcohol conversion with >85% selectivity for benzaldehyde) in the process for a short reaction period (0.5 h) at 94 °C. The catalyst also showed excellent reusability in the process.

Influence of calcination temperature of Au (8 wt%)/U3O8 (HDP) on its performance. Liquid-phase selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with very high productivity and yield in the absence of solvent can be accomplished by using a reusable U3O8-supported nano-gold catalyst. The influences of catalyst parameters (method of gold deposition, gold loading, calcination temperature) and reaction conditions [reaction time, temperature] on the process performance have been thoroughly investigated.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (78 K)Download as PowerPoint slide