Comparative study of oxidation of benzyl alcohol: Influence of Cu-doped metal cation on nano ZnO catalytic activity

Nano-mushroom ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by general techniques. The particle size of ZnO is 28 nm, while it decreased to 17 nm by doping Cu2+ ion on it. Then, catalytic properties of these nanoparticles were studied in oxidation of benzylic alcohols by 30% H2O2 with nano-catalyst at room temperature. The results showed, a solvent free, green, selective, high yield and effective oxidation. Also, the catalytic performance such as: % conversion, % selectivity and rate of reaction of ZnO are significantly enhanced by doped 1% Cu metal cation on nano ZnO. The ketone and aldehyde are the main product of secondary and primary benzylic alcohols respectively under this condition. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.