Efficient room temperature oxidation of cyclohexane over highly active hetero-mixed WO3/V2O5 oxide catalyst

•Nanosized structured WO3/V2O5 mixed oxide was synthesized.•WO3/V2O5 was active for oxidation of cyclohexane with high substrate conversion.•Mixing of WO3 and V2O5 enhanced both conversion and selectivity.•WO3/V2O5 was highly recyclable with consistent catalytic activity.

An efficient room temperature catalyzed oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone (K) and cyclohexanol (A) was achieved over hetero-mixed tungsten–vanadia (WO3/V2O5) using H2O2 oxidant. WO3/V2O5 exhibited high catalytic activity to initiate the free-radical oxyfunctionalization of cyclohexane to afford up to 90% conversions within 6 h. The KA selectivity was found to depend on reaction time and the amount of catalyst. The WO3/V2O5 catalyst was highly recyclable with consistent catalytic activity.

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