SELECTIVE PHOTOOXIDATION REACTIONS IN ZEOLITE-X, ZEOLITE-Y AND ZSM-5

The focus of this study is to develop photooxidation in zeolites as an environmentally benign alternative to conventional liquid phase oxida tion of industrially important chemicals. Here we demonstrate that pho tooxidation in zeolites is a general technique and, therefore, synthet ic strategies can be developed using the shape-selective and chemical properties of different zeolites. The photooxidation of toluene to ben zaldehyde and propylene to acrolein were explored in three different z eolites -X, Y and ZSM-5. Photooxidation of toluene and propylene in ze olites other than Y has not hitherto been previously reported.