Catalytic liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexane with tert-butylhydroperoxide over transition metal exchanged α-zirconium phosphate

Abstract

Transition metal exchanged a-zirconium phosphate, α-ZrP.M {where, M = Mn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III)} was prepared by ion exchange and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron Micrograph, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of α-ZrP.M was tested for the oxidation of the cyclohexane in liquid phase with tert-butylhydroperoxide as an oxidant. In the oxidation reaction, cyclohexane was oxidized to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. It was observed that the order of reactivity of α-ZrP.M for the oxidation cyclohexane to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol is α-ZrP.Mn(II) > α-ZrP.Cu(II) > α-ZrP.Fe(III). A maximum 6.12% conversion and 100% selectivity for cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (KA oil) for oxidation of cyclohexane was observed for α-ZrP.Mn(II)/TBHP system after 5 hours of reaction. Influence of various reaction parameters viz. effect of concentration of oxidant, catalyst and reaction temperature has been studied. The catalyst, α-ZrP.Mn(II)  was recycled three times under similar reaction conditions.