Oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide over nano-crystalline MnxCe1−xO2−δ catalyst
The liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene to produce cyclohexenol and cyclohexenone directly was attempted using Mn ion substituted in ceria in acetonitrile solvent with 30% H2O2 as oxidant under atmospheric pressure. Structural studies by XRD show indication of ionically dispersed metal over ceria. Among all the catalysts studied, the Mn0.05Ce0.95O2−δ catalyst prepared by the solution combustion method has shown more activity (95.3% conversion with 98.7% selectivity) than others. The influences of the amount of Mn loading, temperature, time, the concentration of H2O2 and solvent have also been investigated. The enhancement of activity in Mn2+ ion substituted ceria as compared to other catalysts has been attributed to Mn–O–Ce ionic interaction in the combustion synthesized catalyst. Ionic substitution also helps to get an active stable catalyst with lower risk of Mn-leaching compared to the impregnated catalyst.