Mesoporous V-AlPO – New Partial Oxidation Catalyst
<p>Vanadium incorporated hexagonal mesoporous aluminophosphate characteristic of MCM-41 has been synthesized. Characterization of the catalyst has been done by using low angle XRD, N<sub>2</sub> adsorption, UVVIS DRS, thermal analysis, XPS and ESR spectroscopy. These techniques confirm the presence of vanadium in both +4 and +5 oxidation states in the calcined material. Liquid phase partial oxidation of toluene has been carried out on V-AlPO using 70% TBHP and 30% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> as oxidants. When 70% TBHP is used as an oxidant, it resulted in side chain oxidation giving rise to aldehyde/acid where as with 30% H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, side chain as well as ring oxidation takes place. Catalytic activity of V-AlPO has been compared with that of VMCM-48 and other vanadium containing catalytic systems. It has been observed that mesoporous V-AlPO shows higher conversion and is also selective towards side chain oxidation products. The higher conversion of V-AlPO over V-MCM-48 has been attributed to the stabilization of the active V<sup>+5/+4</sup> species in AlPO framework as compared to silicate analogue.</p>