Co-solvent intensification effect on aromatic alcohol oxidation

Solvent intensification for aromatic alcohol oxidation was performed by experimentally extensive screening. A co-solvent mixture of [Omim]Cl and toluene was found to significantly intensify this class of reactions with high conversion of alcohols (> 90%) and high selectivity to their aldehydes (> 90%). The intensification effect can be jointly attributed to the interaction of [Omim]Cl with the catalyst WO3 surface, which enhances its catalytic reactivity, and to the aqueous–organic biphasic formation by toluene, which inhibits the over-oxidation of aromatic alcohols.

► Co-solvent significantly intensifies aromatic alcohols oxidation.
► High alcohol conversion and high selectivity to aldehydes were obtained.
► Joint intensification effects attributed to excellent performance.
► Interaction of [Omim]Cl with catalyst surface enhances its catalytic reactivity.
► Co-solvent toluene forms biphasic mixture inhibiting the over-oxidation.