Amorphous silicates containing cerium: selective catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane

Cerium containing silicates have been synthesized by different procedures a nd characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and Nz-physisorpt ion. The silicates are efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of c yclohexane with tert-butyl hydroperoxide under mild conditions. Cyclohexane conversions higher than 12% can be obtained, using acetone as solvent and the only products formed are cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol and cyclohexyl hyd roperoxide. Peroxide efficiencies exceed 100% and indicate that molecular o xygen is the ultimate oxidant. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.