Benzylacetate synthesis by oxyacetoxylation of toluene on Pd-Bi binary catalyst

Benzylacetate synthesis from toluene, acetic acid and oxygen on Pd-Bi binar y catalyst was studied in the liquid phase. By incorporation of Bi with Pd, both the activity and selectivity were improved. Especially better stabili ty was obtained with the catalyst having Pd/Bi = 3. Deactivation of the cat alyst was investigated in detail by XRD, XPS, TEM, elemental analysis, EPMA and so on. Comparing the used catalyst with the fresh one, it was indicate d that the main cause of deactivation was the dissolution of Pd into the re action mixture from the most outer surface of the catalyst. By adopting pro per reaction conditions to prevent the Pd dissolution, the catalyst having Pd/Bi = 3 was suggested to be used as an industrial catalyst.