Fabrication of Ag/WO3 nanobars for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation using hydrogen peroxide

• High yield of caprolactone
• Green oxidant
• Environmentally benignity
• Recyclable catalyst

We report the preparation of Ag/WO3 nanobars, mediated by cationic surfactant CTAB through hydrothermal route. XRD revealed the formation of metallic Ag supported on monoclinic WO3 phase and TEM diagram showed the formation of bar-like structure, where supported Ag nanoparticles are in the range between 2 and 7 nm. The catalyst exhibited high activity for selective oxidation of cyclohexanone to caprolactone with H2O2. A cyclohexanone conversion of 97% with 99% caprolactone selectivity was achieved over this catalyst at 80 °C temperature. Moreover, the catalyst did not show any significant activity loss even after 5 reuses and proved its efficiency in the oxidation of other cycloalkanones also.

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