Selective oxidation of substituted phenols with Co-N-C catalysts fabricated via low temperature heat treatment

Co-N-C catalysts were fabricated for efficient oxidation of mono-phenols after undergoing pyrolysis at 250-400 & DEG;C. 2,3,6-Trimethylphenol could be facilely oxidized into 2,3,5-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone with dioxygen. CoO, Co3O4 or metallic Co particles were excluded as catalytic active species, and active Co(ii) species with N/O coordination were dispersed on disordered carbonaceous materials.

Automated summary

Co-N-C catalysts were prepared by pyrolysis at 250-400°C for efficient oxidation of mono-phenols. 2,3,6-Trimethylphenol could be easily oxidized into 2,3,5-trimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone with dioxygen. Catalytic activity was not observed in CoO, Co3O4, or metallic Co particles, indicating that active Co(ii) species with N/O coordination dispersed on disordered carbonaceous materials.