Facile preparation of Pd/organoclay catalysts with high performance in solvent-free aerobic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A facile method to prepare Pd/organoclay catalysts was reported. At room temperature, in H2PdCl4 solution the quaternary ammonium surfactant modifiers intercalated in the organoclay adsorbed PdCl42- specifically and quickly. After reduction at room temperature, Pd nanoparticles were formed and well-dispersed in the organoclay matrix. The Pd/organoclay catalysts were used in aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and exhibited high and stable activity. Particularly, the 0.2 wt% Pd/organoclay gave a remarkably high turnover frequency (up to 6813 h(-1)) under base-and solvent-free conditions. Our method can be generally applied for the preparation of Ru, Au and Pt/organoclay catalysts.