FORMATION OF CU-SUPPORTED MESOPOROUS SILICATES AND ALUMINOSILICATES AND LIQUID-PHASE OXIDATION OF BENZENE CATALYZED BY THE CU-MESOPOROUS SILICATES AND ALUMINOSILICATES

Mesoporous silicates (MCM-41 and Al-containing MCM-41) were applied to catalyst supports for liquid-phase benzene oxidation paying attention to their remarkable features, such as large surface area, ordered mes opores and high thermal stability. The MCM-41-supported Cu catalysts w ere prepared by the method of impregnation (Cu/MCM-41) and ion-exchang e treatment (Cu-Na . MCM-41, Cu-H . MCM-41). The liquid-phase oxygenat ion of benzene to phenol over the MCM-41-supported Cu catalysts was st udied using molecular oxygen as an oxidant and ascorbic acid as a redu cing reagent for the Cu species. The MCM-41-supported Cu catalysts, pa rticularly the Cu ion-exchanged H . MCM-41 (Cu-H . MCM-41), were more active than the corresponding Cu catalysts supported on SiO2, TiO2, Mg O, NaZSM-5, NaY, or KL zeolites. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was confirmed during the liquid-phase oxidation of benzene cat alyzed by the Cu-supported MCM-41. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.