Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of a Fe polyoxometalate/silica composite in the oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide

•The use of (TBA)4[PW11FeO39]/SiO2 composite as heterogeneous catalyst.•Oxidation of various aromatic and aliphatic alcohols to aldehydes.•Heterogeneous oxidation by hydrogen peroxide.•High reusability of polyoxometalate/silica composite catalyst.•High to excellent yields and selectivity for producing aldehydes.

Fe(III) substituted Keggin type polyoxometalate in amorphous silica matrix, (n-C4H9)4N)4[PW11FeO39]/SiO2 (PWFe/SiO2), has been synthesized by sol–gel method. The synthesized PWFe/SiO2 composite was characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Results indicated that the primary Keggin structure remain after incorporation in silica matrix. As a heterogeneous catalyst, PWFe/SiO2 composite showed an elevated catalytic activity and selectivity with high to excellent yields for oxidation of alcohols into aldehydes by H2O2. The stability and reusability of the catalyst was very high, so these composites are suitable for the heterogeneous catalysis by hydrogen peroxide.

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