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Liquid Phase Oxidation of p-cymene by (VO)2P2O7 and VO(PO3)2 Catalysts

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Abstract

Vanadium phosphate oxide (VPO) catalysts derived from VOHPO4·0.5H2O and VO(H2PO4)2 precursors showed improved rates in the catalysed liquid phase oxidation of p-cymene. Both catalysts showed high performance with conversions of up to 30% achieved within 3 h with a selectivity towards the tertiary cymene hydroperoxide (TCHP) of 75–80% when compared to lower conversions and poorer TCHP selectivity in the non-catalysed industrial oxidation processes that takes about 8–12 h reaction time. The temperature dependent structural changes during activation within the catalysts were studied by in situ XRD and TGA-MS. The in situ XRD showed that the VO(H2PO4)2 form mainly an amorphous phase at temperature up to 600 °C while above 650–750 °C a stable VO(PO3)2 phase was obtained. The in situ XRD studies of the (VO)2P2O7 phase derived from VOHPO4·0.5H2O showed to became more crystalline with increasing temperature from 400 to 750 °C. No formation of VOPO4 phases were observed in the activated (VO)2P2O7 catalyst even at high temperature under the in situ XRD conditions.

Graphical Abstract

VPO catalysts derived from VOHPO4·0.5H2O and VO(H2PO4)2 precursors improve oxidation rates and improved tert-cymene hydroperoxide selectivity during the liquid-phase oxidation of p-cymene compared to non-catalyzed oxidations.

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Acknowledgments

We thank NRF, Tshumisano and Sasol for financial support. R.P. Forbes and M.K. Rayner are thanked for their assistance in the recording of the in situ XRD data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. InnoVenton: NMMU Institute of Chemical Technology Institute, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P. O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Peter R. Makgwane, Ernst E. Ferg & Ben Zeelie

  2. School of Chemistry and DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa

    David G. Billing

Authors
  1. Peter R. Makgwane
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  2. Ernst E. Ferg
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  3. David G. Billing
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  4. Ben Zeelie
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Correspondence to Ernst E. Ferg.

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Makgwane, P.R., Ferg, E.E., Billing, D.G. et al. Liquid Phase Oxidation of p-cymene by (VO)2P2O7 and VO(PO3)2 Catalysts. Catal Lett 135, 105–113 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-010-0278-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-010-0278-3

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