Catalytic Activity of Ag-Co-MCM-41 for Liquid-Phase Selective Oxidation of Styrene to Benzaldehyde.

A series of Ag-Co-MCM-41 with different metal loadings have been synthesized through the hydrothermal method. All the prepared catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the structure of MCM-41 was well preserved and Ag and Co have been introduced successfully into the mesoporous channels of MCM-41. The liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of styrene on these catalysts was investigated using H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent and acetone as a solvent in thermostatic water bath. The influence of metal loading, the catalyst dose, temperature, time and styrene/oxidant molar ratio on the conversion of styrene and yield and selectivity of benzaldehyde was investigated. Also, the reusability of the catalysts was evaluated.