High-performance recyclable V–N–C catalysts for the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using molecular oxygen

Abstract

In this report, high-performance recyclable V-N-C catalysts for the direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using molecular oxygen were designed and prepared. Up to 12.6% yield of phenol with selectivity as high as 97.8% was achieved employing V-N-C-600 catalyst in acetonitrile. The catalytic recycling tests demonstrated that the V-N-C-600 catalyst exhibited high potential for reusability. The catalysts were characterized systematically by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption-desorption, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques and scanning electron microscopy. It was determined that the interaction between surface nitrogen of the supports and reactive vanadium species played an important role in the excellent stability in recycling of the heterogeneous V-N-C catalysts.

Bio‐Oil as a Potential Biomass‐Derived Renewable Raw Material for Bio‐Phenol Production

“…However, the gas‐phase oxidation easily leads to the overoxidation of benzene to form CO 2 and other by‐products like catechol and hydroquinone and, as a result, reduces the yield of phenol . Alternatively, the liquid‐phase oxidation or hydroxylation of benzene to phenol has also attracted great attention since it can be operated under mild reaction conditions , . Generally, transition metal oxide catalysts were employed and H 2 O 2 was used as a green oxidant in this process , , , .…”

“…Generally, transition metal oxide catalysts were employed and H 2 O 2 was used as a green oxidant in this process , , , . The liquid‐phase hydroxylation of benzene can achieve high selectivity for phenol, but in most cases, the phenol yield is not high due to the lower benzene conversion .…”

Photocatalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol using dioxygen as an oxygen source and water as an electron source in the presence of a cobalt catalyst

“…4,14,15 However, catalytic aerobic oxidation of benzene to phenol has required sacrificial reducing agents such as H 2 , ascorbic acid, and NADH analogs. 16 In addition, the catalytic aerobic oxidation of benzene without sacrificial reducing agents has so far required harsh conditions, such as high temperatures or UV light photoirradiation. 14,15,17,18 Moreover, although the photocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using organic photocatalysts without overoxidation has been demonstrated, 19–22 the turnover numbers (TONs) of the catalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol are still low ( e.g.…”

Facile Synthesis of Vanadium Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Catalysts for Enhanced Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol

“…Among them, vanadium compounds showed excellent catalytic activity in the hydroxylation of benzene, due to their superior redox ability and remarkable stability [16][17][18]. Various vanadium-based catalysts such as V/SiO 2 [19], vanadium oxide (VO x )/clay [20], VS-1 zeolite [21], V-N-C [22], and V-modified mesoporous materials [5,23,24] were investigated for the title reaction. The highly dispersed VO x nanoparticles (NPs) were found to be highly efficient for the hydroxylation of benzene.…”