Influence of nanoparticles oxidation state in gold based catalysts on the product selectivity in liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene

• Au/TiO2 and Au/ZrO2 are used for oxidation of cyclohexene.
• Effect of oxidation states of Au nanoparticles on catalytic performance is studied.
• Gold in the catalysts that have been only dried is deposited as Auδ+.
• Auδ+ has a high selectivity towards alkene oxides.

Supported gold catalysts Au/TiO2 and Au/ZrO2 were prepared and used for oxidation of cyclohexene with TBHP. These catalysts were characterized by ICP, TEM and diffuse-reflectance UV–vis. The catalytic tests were carried out in liquid phase, at 80 °C and at atmospheric pressure.The effects of support and thermal treatment (oxidation state of Au nanoparticles) on catalytic performance were studied. Gold in the catalysts that have been dried is deposited as Auδ+. These catalysts have a high selectivity towards alkene oxides, 81% of 2-cyclohexene-1-ol for Au/TiO2 and 85% of 2-cyclohexene-1-one for Au/ZrO2.

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