Solvent-free benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction over Sm-CeO2 supported gold nanoparticle using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant

Abstract

Abstract In this work, liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol under solvent-free condition is carried out using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant over CeO2, Sm-CeO2, Au/CeO2, and Au/Sm-CeO2 catalysts. The Au/Sm-CeO2 catalyst shows higher activity compared to Au/CeO2 catalyst but in every case, almost 100% selectivity of benzaldehyde is observed. From CO2-temperature programmed desorption results, it is observed that the amount of basic sites increase after samarium doping and these basic sites play a crucial role for benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction. From these above experimental results, superior catalytic activity was observed for 2.33 wt% Au/Sm-CeO2 catalyst (Sm/Ce = 4/100).