Preparation of Cu2+/+–VSB-5 and their catalytic properties on hydroxylation of phenol

The Cu2+–VSB-5 samples were prepared by a simple ion-exchanged reaction of Cu2+ with the H+ in the channel of VSB-5. The as-synthesized Cu2+–VSB-5 and calcined Cu2+/+–VSB-5 samples were characterized in detail by XRD, ICP, UV–vis and XPS spectra. Liquid phase catalytic hydroxylation of phenol was carried out over the calcined Cu2+/+–VSB-5 samples, which exhibited high activity for the phenol oxidation. High TOF (69.1) and Cat/HQ ratio (1.6) were achieved over the 0.01Cu–VSB-5 catalyst. The studies on the mechanism of phenol hydroxylation show that the hydroxy radicals participated in the processes.