Catalytic Activity of TS-1 on the Hydroxylation of Benzene and Toluene with Hydrogen Peroxide in a Bubble Reactor

Abstract

The hydroxylation of benzene with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant over TS-1 was carried out in a bubble reactor. The catalyst was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. When the volume of benzene feeding in each period was increased while the feeding frequency constant, the conversion of benzene decreased. The amount of phenol increased when the reaction mixture was left for a period of time up to 4 hours, suggesting the reaction of benzene dissolved in the liquid phase. The extension of the experiment on the hydroxylation of toluene using the best condition obtained from the hydroxylation of benzene shows that o-cresol and p-cresol are two main hydroxylation products of toluene.