Microwave-Assisted Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol Over Fe(III)/TiO2 Catalysts at Room Temperature

Liquid phase hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with hydrogen peroxide over transition metals supported on TiO2 catalysts prepared by impregnation method was studied under microwave irradiation. This paper investigated the catalytic performances of TiO2 supports prepared by various calcined temperature and time. The catalytic activity of Co(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) metal oxide support on TiO2 for hydroxylation benzene to phenol was investigated. Coupled conventionally heated method gave phenol yield of 1.5 % and selectivity of 80 %, higher phenol yield of 7.8 % and selectivity of 98 % were obtained when the 5 % loading amounts of Fe(III) under microwave condition. Various reaction parameters, such as reaction time, amount of catalyst and hydrogen peroxide, were investigated to obtain an optimal reaction conditions for phenol formation.