Direct synthesis, characterization of Cu-SBA-15 and its high catalytic activity in hydroxylation of phenol by H2O2

Transition metals copper substituted mesoporous silica Cu-SBA-15 has firstly been obtained. The Cu(II) ion was mainly incorporated into the framework of Cu-SBA-15 forming a new type active site which raises the phenol conversion to 62.4% and diphenol selectivity to 97.2% in phenol hydroxylation.