CATALYTIC EFFECTS ON THE OXIDATION OF BENZYL ALCOHOL BY MONTMORILLONITE-SUPPORTED METAL NITRATES

Iron(III) and copper(II) nitrates supported on K10 montmorillonite (Cl ayfen and Claycop) were prepared by impregnation. The metal nitrates w ere present on the support as crystalline hydrates, which were X-ray a morphous and had good dispersion. These supported metal nitrates were used as reagents for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Due to its high Bronsted acidity the clay support catalyzes the decomposition of finel y dispersed nitrates which is the intermediate step of the chemical ox idation of the alcohol. The oxidation activity of these supported reag ents depends on the oxygen content in the reactor gas atmosphere. Unde r an oxygen atmosphere metal nitrates can be used in a quantity less t hen stoichiometric. When the metal nitrate content is decreased at the surface of montmorillonite, part of the surface becomes free. In that case, with aromatic solvents, alkylation arises as a secondary reacti on.