Enhancing selective transformation of benzyl alcohol by interface catalysis of a bilayer composite membrane

Abstract

Facile and environment-friendly preparation of chloride-free benzaldehyde is still a great challenge in industry. Herein, a novel bilayer composite membrane with a top semi-interpenetrating polymer network layer and a lower polyvinylidene fluoride/poly (methacrylic acid) @Pd catalytic layer was prepared for the green preparation of chloride-free benzaldehyde. Results indicated that when the composite membrane was placed between the interface of H2O2/water solution and benzyl alcohol/toluene solution, it could efficiently and conveniently catalyze the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by hydrogen peroxide into chloride-free benzaldehyde. Furthermore, the oil phase and water phase were always separated by the bilayer membrane during the whole process and thus the reaction was operated conveniently. The good result was attributed to the unique structure of the bilayer membrane and the interface reaction technique. Undoubtedly, coupling the bilayer membrane with the interface reaction technique is a new and effective strategy for the green preparation of chloride-free benzaldehyde.