Liquid phase oxidation of styrene over zirconia supported undecatungstophosphate using different oxidants: a comparative study.

The catalytic activity of zirconia supported lacunary undecatungstophosphate was evaluated for solvent free oxidation reactions. The catalyst was proved to be successful for clean and green oxidation reactions which can be useful in waste minimization. The superiority of the present catalyst lies, especially, in obtaining 98% conversion of styrene and >99.9% selectivity for benzaldehyde with H(2)O(2). With molecular oxygen the catalyst gives 50% conversion with 70% selectivity towards epoxide in 4 h only.