Efficient conversion of 1,2-dichlorobenzene to mucochloric acid with ozonation catalyzed by V2O5 loaded metal oxides

Ozone initiated oxidation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) in aqueous system catalyzed by different loadings of V2O5 supported on metal oxides namely; Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2 was investigated. Catalyst materials were characterized by different surface techniques including BET, TPD, SEM, FT-IR, ICP, and XRD methods. Mucochloric acid (MCA) was identified to be main oxidation product. The conversion and selectivity of MCA were compared. With 5% V2O5, all three supports gave 100% conversion and 100% selectivity after 5 h ozonation. Conversion efficiency of the support was SiO2 > Al2O3 > TiO2 for 2 h ozonation duration and 5% V2O5 loaded catalysts registered higher conversions than with 1% loaded. Probable reaction scheme is described.

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► Conversion of 1,2-dichlobenzene to mucochloric acid (MCA) by O3 in water.
► V2O5 on metal oxide catalysts showed (98–100%) selectivity to MCA.
► Conversion efficiency of the supports was SiO2 > Al2O3 > TiO2.
► Efficiency of 5% V2O5 loaded catalysts greater than 1% loaded.