Iron-chloride ionic liquid immobilized on SBA-15 for solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with H2O2

Iron-chloride immobilized ionic liquid (SIL-FeCl3) was prepared by N-methylimidazole reacting with chloropropylsilane linked on SBA-15 and coordinating of FeCl3 to the imidazolium on the surface. The nonuniform distribution of iron species on the surface detected by TEM and EDX and the higher catalytic activity of the catalyst for effective oxidation of benzyl alcohol under solvent-free condition were achieved The catalyst can be easily recovered and effectively reused without a significant loss in its activity. 286