Co and Mn impregnated MCM-41: their applications to vapour phase oxidation of isopropylbenzene

The vapour phase oxidation of isopropylbenzene with air was carried out over cobalt and manganese oxide impregnated MCM-41 and Al-MCM-41 gave cumene hydroperoxide, 1,2-epoxy isopropylbenzene, acetophenone and styrene. The presence of Co3+ and Mn2+ in the mono and bimetal impregnated catalysts was evident through DRS studies. The isopropylbenzene conversion and products selectivity was found to be higher over Co-Mn-MCM-41. The activities of catalysts follow the order Co-Mn-MCM-41 > Co-Mn-Al-MCM-41 (99) > Mn-MCM-41 > Mn-Al-MCM-41 (99) > Co-MCM-41 > Co-Al-MCM-41 (99).