Oxidative dehydrogenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene using multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been used in the oxidative dehydrogenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene in an organic solvent (toluene) using molecular oxygen as the oxidant, and in the absence of trace amounts of metals. The process is selective and almost no anthraquinone is formed. Thermal treatment of the MWCNTs at 2600 °C favours deoxygenation of the support and markedly improves the catalytic activity. MWCNTs are better catalysts than either charcoal or exfoliated carbon.

Graphical abstractMulti-walled carbon nanotubes promote oxidative dehydrogenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene in the absence of trace amounts of metals. Thermal treatment of the carbon nanostructure improves the catalytic activity versus charcoal or exfoliated carbon. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide