Direct synthesis of phenol from benzene by Pd-VOx nanoparticles using molecular oxygen

Abstract

Novel Pd-VOx nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by a one-pot hydrogenation method are reported. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy were performed to characterize the Pd-VOx NPs. The NPs catalyzed benzene directly to phenol in 5.2% yield with more than 99% selectivity using O 2 as the sole oxidant. Bimetallic nanoparticles: Pd-VOx nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared by a one-pot hydrogenation method and used as the catalyst for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with O 2 as the oxygen source in aqueous acetic acid medium (see figure). NPs of different diameters display different catalytic activities. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.