Cobalt-Aluminium Hydrotalcite Containing Interlayer Mesoporous Silicate Framework (SBA-15): Promising Recyclable Catalysts for Oxidation of Alkyl Aromatics

A cobalt-aluminium hydrotalcite with an interlayer mesoporous SBA-15 type silicate framework (CoAl-HT-SBA) was successfully prepared. The intercalation of the SBA-15 molecular sieve was evident from powder XRD and FT-IR analysis. The SBA-15-intercalated materials possessed higher surface area and pore volume. The resultant nano-structured composite materials showed good conversion for oxidation of alkyl aromatics with formation of the corresponding ketone as the major product. The presence of an exposed active cobalt species in a different oxidation state facilitates oxidation of the alkyl aromatic. The catalytic activity was preserved and its structure was stable over many catalytic cycles.