Synthesis of a novel redox material udcat-3: an efficient and versatile catalyst for selective oxidation, hydroxylation and hydrogenation reactions

Abstract

A novel, highly efficient and versatile redox catalyst, named UDCaT-3 (the acronym derived from University Department of Chemical Technology series catalyst # 3) was developed by synthesizing manganese-vanadium ternary oxide within the framework of manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve. This new composite material was characterized by elemental, X-ray diffraction, volumetric (N2 adsorption-desorption) and transmission electron microscopic analyses as well as by electron spin resonance and framework infrared spectroscopy. In order to study its activity and selectivity, UDCaT-3 was used in the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, hydroxylation of phenol and acetophenone; and hydrogenation of p-nitroanisole to p-anisidine. It exhibited excellent activity and high selectivity towards the desired products. The active sites in UDCaT-3 are the lattice oxygens which get depleted during reaction followed by regeneration with the help of the oxidizing agent. UDCaT-3 is a stable, reusable and versatile catalyst.