Photocatalytic hydroxylation of phenol with Fe–Al-silicate photocatalyst: A clean and highly selective synthesis of dihydroxybenzenes

Photocatalytic hydroxylation of phenol to catechol and hydroquinone in liquid phase over a novel heterogeneous photocatalyst Fe–Al-silicate was investigated with the assistance of UV irradiation at 365 nm at room temperature. The catalyst was characterized by BET, BJH, FT-IR, UV–vis DRS and XRD. The effects of various parameters (types and amount of co-solvent, amount of catalyst, reaction time and amount of H2O2) on photocatalytic hydroxylation of phenol were studied to explore the better reaction conditions. In this study, phenol conversion could reach high up to 64.9%, with a total selectivity of 95% and the yield of 39.3%, 22.3% for catechol and hydroquinone, respectively.

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► A new type of silicate based photocatalyst was prepared by a simple method.
► Photocatalytic hydroxylation of phenol over Fe-Al-silicate was studied.
► The catalyst showed high photocatalytic activity and selectivity.