One-step production of methoxymethyl benzene in electrochemical reaction of toluene with methanol assisted by modified (NH4)3H4[P(Mo2O7)6] catalysts

A series of novel catalysts that P, Mo metal-salt (MxOy–MoO3–P2O5, M = Fe, Ni, Cu) were prepared and investigated by means of TGA–DSC, XRD and XPS for elemental mapping. All catalysts exhibited good catalytic activity in the reaction of toluene with methanol, assisted with a pair of porous graphite plane electrodes, and chemical conversion higher than 92% was observed. In particular, iron promoted catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity. According to the experimental results, a possible free-radicals reaction mechanism confirmed by XPS and UV–vis spectra was proposed.

Graphical abstractA toluene free-radical cation formed in the oxidation of side-chain of toluene assisted by P, Mo metal-salt (MxOy–MoO3–P2O5, M = Fe, Ni, Cu) catalysts then produce a free radical. All products were obtained by the reaction of the free radical with toluene or methanol. A possible free-radicals reaction mechanism confirmed by XPS and UV–vis spectra was proposed. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide