Photoreactive polymer composite for selective oxidation of benzene to phenol

Tuning the selectivity of visible light-driven hydroxylation of benzene to phenol by using Cu, Fe and V oxides supported on N-doped TiO2

“…It is worth pointing out that the N-TiO 2 photocatalyst showed a high benzene conversion (62%) without phenol formation, as already reported in previous studies. 18 Therefore, the visible light-driven benzene oxidation was performed using Cu/ N-TiO 2 , Fe/N-TiO 2 and V/N-TiO 2 photocatalysts in order to test the possibility of providing higher selectivity towards phenol. The benzene relative concentration and phenol yield as a function of run time with Cu/N-TiO 2 , Fe/N-TiO 2 and V/N-TiO 2 photocatalysts are reported in Fig.…”

“…16 The liquid-phase hydroxylation of benzene to phenol was also investigated by Tanarungsun et al in the presence of transition metals (copper, vanadium, iron) impregnated on a TiO 2 support, demonstrating a higher phenol yield obtained with the impregnated TiO 2 systems under UV light compared to bare TiO 2 . 17 Based on the results reported in the literature and considering our preliminary results on the N-doped TiO 2 photocatalyst, 18 in this work transition metal oxides (iron, vanadium and copper oxide) were supported on N-TiO 2 and tested in the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol under visible light.…”

Monolithic Porous Organic Polymer‐Photocatalyst Composites for Applications in Catalysis

“…Indeed, it has been found that the amount of benzene absorbed in the sPS polymer is considerably higher than that of phenol. [88] Therefore, the phenol formed by hydroxylation of benzene by NÀ TiO 2 photocatalyst dispersed in the sPS matrix can easily desorb from the polymer toward the aqueous phase surrounding the sPS/NÀ TiO 2 composite (Scheme 10). In this way, the phenol over-oxidation reactions are prevented.…”

“…Finally, it is worth noting that polymeric matrices capable of absorbing and therefore concentrating the target species of the catalyst, make it possible to improve the efficiency of the catalytic process [20b,d] …”

Recent trends in phenol synthesis by photocatalytic oxidation of benzene

“…Photocatalytic processes have attracted attention as "green" alternatives because they can activate benzene molecules using light as an energy source and convert them to phenol under mild reaction conditions. [14][15][16] Several photocatalysts have been developed for benzene oxidation to phenol by oxidants, including H 2 O 2 and O 2 .…”