Influence of phosphate addition on activity of Ag and Cu catalysts for partial oxidation of alcohols

► Ag- and Cu-containing catalytic systems based on silica modified by phosphate. ► The model catalytic systems prepared by the impregnation method. ► Catalysts for ethylene glycol selective oxidation to glyoxal. ► The high catalytic efficiency in ethylene glycol selective oxidation to glyoxal (ca. 65% yield for Ag-containing catalyst).