Fe/EuroPh catalysts for limonene oxidation to 1,2-epoxylimonene, its diol, carveol, carvone and perillyl alcohol

• The catalysts: Fe3O4 (Fe2+ and Fe3+) on AC were obtained by N2 treatment at 550 °C.
• Studies on the oxidation of limonene were carried out.
• All catalysts were active in the oxidation process.
• Perillyl alcohol was the main product of the process.
• The proposed oxidation method is ecologically friendly and save.

The catalysts in the form of an activated carbon EuroPh supported Fe were prepared and characterized structurally and chemically by XRD, nitrogen sorption, FESEM, EDX, and ICP-AES methods. The active phase was magnetite Fe3O4. The concentration of Fe in the catalysts was equal to 0.68, 1.32, 2.64 wt%. The catalytic activity of the obtained catalysts was examined in limonene oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidants. The studies were carried out in a batch reactor. The catalytic activity of the recovered catalysts was also tested. The research showed that all from the studied catalysts were active in the limonene oxidation. As a result of limonene oxidation the following products were mainly obtained: 1,2-epoxylimonene diol, carveol, carvone and perillyl alcohol – products with a great importance. The reused catalysts were characterized by considerably lover activity in the limonene oxidation than in the first run, especially when the oxidation was performed with t-butyl hydroperoxide.

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