Selective catalytic oxidation reaction of p-xylene on manganese-iron mixed oxide materials

Mixed manganese iron oxides (Mn/Fe/O) as heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal treatment and citrate methods to be tested in the oxidation of p-xylene (PX) using as oxidation agent molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Preparation of mixed Mn-Fe oxide by the citrate method releases materials with smaller particle size and lower degree of crystallinity as compared with the hydrothermal one, which further leads to a higher activity toward the oxidation of PX. A conversion of PX of 98% and a yield in p-toluic acid of 93% were obtained in the presence of Mn/Fe/O prepared by the citrate method using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidizing agent. (C) 2017 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.