A silica gel supported cobalt(II) Schiff base complex as efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alkyl aromatics

A silica gel supported cobalt(II) Schiff base complex was synthesized and used for the oxidation of alkyl aromatics using molecular oxygen as an oxidant under atmosphere pressure. The catalyst shows a high conversion of alkyl aromatics and selectivity to benzylic ketones, and could be reused at least 5 times without significant loss of catalytic activity.

Graphical abstractA silica gel supported cobalt(II) Shiff base complex was synthesized and exhibited good to excellent activity in the aerobic oxidation of alkyl aromatics under mind conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide