Oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalysts obtained by the immobilization of H3PW12O40 on SBA-15 mesoporous material

Mesoporous SBA-15 functionalized catalysts with controllable H3PW12O40 loadings were prepared using a one-step co-condensation method and used for the oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. These catalysts were well characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, low angle X-ray diffraction, wide angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption. The results showed that H3PW12O40 was successfully incorporated into the mesoporous channels of SBA-15, which increased the specific surface area of the active components. These catalysts were applied to catalyze styrene oxidation in the presence of cheap and green hydrogen peroxide, and the key reaction parameters including H3PW12O40 loading, reaction temperature, solvent, H2O2 amount, and reaction time on the catalytic performance were investigated. The heterogeneous H3PW12O40-catalyzed styrene oxidations showed the oxidation product was benzaldehyde as the only product. This route showed green and simple property.