VOPO4 center dot 2H(2)O encapsulated in graphene oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst for selective hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

A novel heterogeneous hybrid catalyst (VPO@GO) was prepared through a strong interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and exfoliated VOPO4 center dot 2H(2)O. V4+-rich VPO@GO can selectively oxidize benzene to phenol at 60 degrees C using H2O2 as the oxidant, affording 100% selectivity with a benzene conversion of similar to 33% up to 5 catalytic cycles.