Copper-doped alumina-pillared montmorillonites catalysts for oxidation of toluene and xylenes with hydrogen peroxide

Catalytic properties of Cu-doped alumina-pillared montmorilionite samples h ave been tested in the liquid phase oxidation of toluene, o-, m-, and p-xyl ene with hydrogen peroxide. The results show that the clay samples possess significant activity for both the oxidation of methyl groups and hydroxylat ion of the aromatic ring. Physicochemical characterization of the catalysts using XRD, BET, ESR and ICP-AES techniques show that they are porous mater ials with Cu species located in the interlayer, present either as isolated Cu2+ ions anchored at alumina pillars or as patches of amorphous CuO. The d ependence of the overall yields on the amount of Cu dopant is discussed and explained in terms of the catalyst structural properties.