Issue 20, 2015

Gold nanoparticles supported on magnesium ferrite and magnesium oxide for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

Abstract

Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) have gained significant attention as catalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols; however, the catalytic activity is highly dependent on the presence of a base. Alternatives to the use of strong bases, such as NaOH, are still needed. Here, we explored the basicity of magnesium ferrite/oxide supports to study the catalytic behaviour of supported Au NPs for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The presence of Mg2+ ions in the ferrite structure improved the catalytic activity of supported Au NPs to ca. 35% conversion in the absence of an additional base. After modifying the support with MgO, the catalytic activity of supported Au NPs was further improved to ca. 50% conversion, but the catalyst deactivated in successive recycling tests. When the catalysts were tested in the presence of a sub-stoichiometric amount of K2CO3, they became more active and remained stable upon recycling with no loss of activity and selectivity for the preferential production of benzoic acid.

Graphical abstract: Gold nanoparticles supported on magnesium ferrite and magnesium oxide for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Dec 2014
Accepted
23 Jan 2015
First published
23 Jan 2015

RSC Adv., 2015,5, 15035-15041

Gold nanoparticles supported on magnesium ferrite and magnesium oxide for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

E. M. de Moura, M. A. S. Garcia, R. V. Gonçalves, P. K. Kiyohara, R. F. Jardim and L. M. Rossi, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 15035 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA16159A

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