Molybdovanadophosphoric anion ionic liquid as a reusable catalyst for solvent-free benzene oxidation to phenol by H2O2

•Heteropolyanion ionic liquid catalyst for benzene oxidation by H2O2•High phenol yield was achieved.•No need of organic solvents•Reusable at least five times

Molybdovanadophosphoric anion (H2PMo11VO402 −) room temperature ionic liquid was prepared and characterized by the methods of FT-IR and TG. Then, this ionic liquid was employed as catalyst for the oxidation of benzene to phenol by H2O2 without using solvent. The homogeneous emulsion formed by the catalyst and substrates during the reaction facilitated the catalytic process. After reaction, the catalyst could self-precipitate from the reaction media and proved to be recyclable.

Graphical abstractMolybdovanadophosphoric anion room temperature ionic liquid was successfully prepared and employed as highly efficient catalyst for solvent-free oxidation benzene to phenol with H2O2 as oxidant. The catalyst could self-separate from the reaction media at the end of reaction and be reused at least for five times.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide