Catalytic wet hydrogen peroxide oxidation of para-chlorophenol over Al/Fe pillared clays (AlFePILCs) prepared from different host clays

▶ The nature of the host clay influences the structural, textural and catalytic properties on the mixed Al-Fe pillared clays. ▶ The oxidation of 4-chlorophenol proceeds with the formation of 4-chlorocatechol (main intermediate), hydroquinone and other chlorinated benzenediols and triols. ▶ Diffuse-reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy can be used to investigate the solid iron speciation in mixed Al-Fe pillared clays. ▶ The low-nuclearity ferric oxides seem to be responsible for the iron leaching and for the differences in the catalytic activity.